Comments Invited \n\n\n\tThe FAA invites you to send any written data, views, or arguments about this final rule. Send your comments to an address listed under ADDRESSES. Include ''Docket No. FAA-2021-0618 and Project Identifier 2019-CE-005-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the final rule, explain the reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this final rule because of those comments. \n\tExcept for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR 11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. The agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact received about this final rule. \n\n((Page 46110))Confidential Business Information \n\n\n\tCBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public disclosure. If your comments responsive to this AD contain commercial or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to this AD, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing CBI as ''PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public docket of this AD. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Mike Kiesov, Aviation Safety Engineer, General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section, International Validation Branch, FAA, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, MO 64106. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for this rulemaking. \n\nBackground \n\n\n\tThe European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD 2018-0181, dated August 27, 2018 (referred to after this as ''the MCAI''), to address an unsafe condition for certain serial-numbered BALONY KUBICEK spol. s r.o. Model BB78Z, BB85Z, BB92Z, and BB130P balloons. The MCAI states: \n\n\n\tInvestigation prompted by a BB hot air balloon accident revealed a failure of an envelope vertical load tape. It was determined that other balloon envelopes might be affected as well. \n\tThis condition, if not detected and corrected, could result in envelope tear, leading to an uncontrolled descent with consequent injury to balloon occupants and persons on the ground. \n\tTo address this unsafe condition, Balony Kubicek spol. s r.o. issued the SB (Servis Bulletin No. BB/52), providing inspection instructions to detecta weaving defect on a load tape. \n\tFor the reason described above, this (EASA) AD requires a one- time inspection of all the load tapes and, depending on findings, repair of the balloon by replacing any load tape having a weaving defect. \n\n\n\tYou may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021- 0618. \n\nRelated Service Information \n\n\n\tThe FAA reviewed BALONY KUBICEK spol. s r.o. Servis Bulletin No. BB/52, dated July 23, 2018. This service information includes an example of a weaving defect in the load tape and specifies acceptable materials and procedures for repairing load tapes with visible yellow thread. \n\nFAA's Determination \n\n\n\tThis product has been approved by the aviation authority of another country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, it has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service information referenced above. The FAA is issuing this AD because it has determined the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design. \n\nAD Requirements \n\n\n\tThis AD requires inspecting the envelope load tape and repairing any envelope load tape having a weaving defect. \n\nJustification for Immediate Adoption and Determination of the Effective Date \n\n\n\tSection 553(b)(3)(B) of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 U.S.C. 551 et seq.) authorizes agencies to dispense with notice and comment procedures for rules when the agency, for ''good cause,'' finds that those procedures are ''impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest.'' Under this section, an agency, upon finding good cause, may issue a final rule without providing notice and seeking comment prior to issuance. Further, section 553(d) of the APA authorizes agencies to make rules effective in less than thirty days, upon a finding of good cause. \n\tThe FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because there are no balloons currently on the U.S. registry and thus, it is unlikely that the FAA will receive any adverse comments or useful information about this AD from U.S. operators. Accordingly, notice and opportunity for prior public comment are unnecessary pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B). In addition, the FAA finds that good cause exists pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d) for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days for the same reasons the FAA found good cause to forego notice and comment. \n\nCosts of Compliance \n\n\n\tThere are currently no affected products on the U.S. registry. In the event an affected balloon becomes a U.S.-registered balloon, the following is an estimate of the costs to comply with this AD. \n\tThe FAA estimates that it would take 1 work-hour per balloon to comply with the inspection required by this AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Based on these figures, the FAA estimates the cost of this AD to be $85 per balloon. \n\tIn addition, the FAA estimates that repairing the envelope load tape, if necessary, would take 10 work-hours and require parts costing $200 for a cost of $1,050 per balloon. \n\nAuthority for This Rulemaking \n\n\n\tTitle 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority. \n\tThe FAA is issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General requirements. Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action. \n\nRegulatory Flexibility Act \n\n\n\tThe requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) do not apply when an agency finds good cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 to adopt a rule without prior notice and comment. Because FAA has determined that it has good cause to adopt this rule without prior notice and comment, RFA analysis is not required. \n\nRegulatory Findings \n\n\n\tThe FAA determined that this AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD will not have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship between the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government. \n\tFor the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD: \n\t(1) Is not a ''significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866, and \n\t(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska. \n\n((Page 46111)) \n\nList of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 \n\n\n\tAir transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety.