# SAIB CE-10-31: Fuselage - Free Manned Balloons with Undivided Gondolas

- Type: Special airworthiness information bulletin (advisory, not mandatory)
- Status: Current
- Revision: 0
- Issued: May 5, 2010
- Products: Gondolas that carry more than four passengers
- Product type: Aircraft, Balloon
- PDF: https://openairdocs.org/files/sha256/de/d6/ded644c8170ebafff48e069fd53b800a5fb5f668fecab88e449aa6b08b14452f
- FAA DRS: https://drs.faa.gov/browse/excelExternalWindow/AF06F17E5E776D888625771A004952C0.0001
- DRS record last changed: May 5, 2010
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/saib/CE-10-31

## Text

FAA Aviation Safety

**SPECIAL AIRWORTHINESS**

INFORMATION BULLETIN SAIB: CE-10-31 SUBJ: Fuselage - Free Manned Balloons with Undivided Gondolas Date: May 5, 2010 This is information only. Recommendations aren’t mandatory.

Introduction

This special airworthiness information bulletin alerts owners and operators of all models of free manned balloons with gondolas that carry more than four passengers of an airworthiness concern, specifically the potential risk of injury during landing with undivided gondolas.

The airworthiness concern is not an unsafe condition that would warrant airworthiness directive action under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 39.

Background

This recommendation results from an NTSB accident investigation of aircraft N2867W, Aerostar S77 hot air balloon. There were eight passengers on board; two passengers were injured, one minor and one serious. During the Report of the Administrator, Flight Standards District Office investigation, it was determined that large balloons may derive a safety benefit from having partitions in the gondola.

Recommendations

The FAA recommends that owners/operators of all models of free manned balloons with more than four passengers divide the gondola into partitions following gondola manufacturer methods or standard maintenance practices.

For Further Information Contact

FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, Attention: Mr. Taylor Martin, ACE 112, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, MO 64106; telephone (816) 329-4139; fax (816) 329-4090.

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