# N31226: 1996 Balloon Works FIREFLY 8B-15 - Status: Valid registration - Airframe: [Balloon Works FIREFLY 8B-15](https://openairdocs.org/model/balloon-works-firefly-8b-15) (registry code 1050111, 1 seats) - Engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000) - Data sheets: [TCDS A14SO](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/A14SO) (JR Aerosports Ltd.) (OpenAirDocs) - Serial number: F8B-517 - Year built: 1996 - Type: Balloon - Engine type: None - Airworthiness: Standard, balloon - Airworthiness date: September 19, 1996 - Certificate issued: November 6, 1996 - Expires: November 30, 2028 - Mode S code: A350FC - Registered owner: [Scarberry Wm G Jr](https://openairdocs.org/faa-owner/SCARBERRY%20WM%20G%20JR) - Location: [Piney Flats, TN](https://openairdocs.org/faa-place/TN/Piney%20Flats) - Owner type: Individual - Owner's area on the map: 36.4402° N, 82.3488° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at the center of ZIP code 37686, within about 3 miles (OpenAirDocs). The owner's mailing address, not where the aircraft is based - FAA registry: https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=31226 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N31226 From the FAA registry file of October 24, 2026. ADs below are matched by the registry's airframe and engine model codes. They may apply; each AD's applicability can narrow it by serial number, part number or installed equipment. This is not a compliance determination. ## ADs that may apply (OpenAirDocs): 2 in force ### Matched by airframe (Balloon Works FIREFLY 8B-15) - [AD 2013-03-10](https://openairdocs.org/ad/2013-03-10): Hardware · Aeronaut Instruction Research Skysailor 105, Skysailor 90, 110C and 439 more. Effective Mar 19, 2013 - [AD 75-12-08](https://openairdocs.org/ad/75-12-08): Throttle or Trigger Valves · McGrath, Michael D. A-60S, A-B, A50S and 41 more. Effective Apr 30, 1976 ### Matched by engine (NONE) None in force. ## Information bulletins (advisory) (1 in force) - [SAIB CE-11-44](https://openairdocs.org/saib/CE-11-44): Fuel: Cylinder Strap Installation. Issued Jul 13, 2011 ## NTSB investigations (1) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB NYC98LA085](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC98LA085), Mar 27, 1998: Balloon Works Firefly 8B-15 (N31226), Elk Garden, VA, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's improper weather evaluation. The gusty wind condition was a related factor. ## FAA accident and incident reports (1) From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [Accident 19980327013619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980327013619A), Mar 27, 1998: Balwks FIREFLY8 (N31226), Elk Garden, VA, Substantial damage. On March 27, 1998, about 1750 eastern standard time, N31226, a balloon works, firefly-8B-15, was substantially damaged during a lanidng in Elk Garden ,… ## Service difficulty reports None filed for this aircraft. Matched to this aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model. ## STCs that may be installed (OpenAirDocs) (14) Approved for this aircraft's airframe or engine model, in force first, then newest. The registry doesn't record which STCs an aircraft has; its records do. ### Approved for the airframe (Balloon Works FIREFLY 8B-15) - [STC SB09657RC](https://openairdocs.org/stc/SB09657RC): Installation of Aircraft Position Lights. Albuquerque Balloon Center, Inc - [STC SB04407AT](https://openairdocs.org/stc/SB04407AT): Installation of the DBI-III Omega. Balloonacy, Ltd. LLC - [STC SA3251SO](https://openairdocs.org/stc/SA3251SO): Attachment of Balloon appendage. JR Aerosports LTD - [STC SB00078AT](https://openairdocs.org/stc/SB00078AT): Installation of Thunder & Colt carriage assemblies under Firefly balloon envelopes. JR Aerosports LTD - [STC SB00565AT](https://openairdocs.org/stc/SB00565AT): Installation of Cameron carriage assemblies Under Firefly envelopes. JR Aerosports LTD - [STC SB01015AT](https://openairdocs.org/stc/SB01015AT): Attachment of sea serpent appendage. JR Aerosports LTD - [STC SB01506AT](https://openairdocs.org/stc/SB01506AT): Attachment of Firefly hot air balloon envelopes. JR Aerosports LTD - [STC SB01597AT](https://openairdocs.org/stc/SB01597AT): Attachment of '57 Chevy' appendages. JR Aerosports LTD - [STC SA00680SE](https://openairdocs.org/stc/SA00680SE): Installation of Electronics International model UBG-16 or UBG-16T bar graph engine analyzer. Electronics International - [STC SB918GL](https://openairdocs.org/stc/SB918GL): Addition of a refueling adapter to the main fuel line. LTA Aviation Inc - [STC SB00407LA](https://openairdocs.org/stc/SB00407LA): Installation of foam padded tank covers. John Terry - [STC SB00408LA](https://openairdocs.org/stc/SB00408LA): Installation of protective caps on basket oak runners. Pacific Southwest Aerostats - [STC SA1626NM PAGE 1](https://openairdocs.org/stc/SA1626NM%20PAGE%201): Installation of Electronics Int'l Digital EGT/CHT Instruments and accessories. (201 Series). Electronics International - [STC SA4302NM](https://openairdocs.org/stc/SA4302NM): Installation of Electronics Int'l digital automatic engine analyzer. Electronics International ## Earlier aircraft with N31226 The FAA can reassign an N-number once a registration is cancelled. These aircraft carried N31226 before. - [Cancelled 1993-01-21](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N31226-1993-01-21): Reims Aviation S A F406, S/N 0057. Exported to France. Owner: [Cessna Aircraft Company](https://openairdocs.org/faa-owner/CESSNA%20AIRCRAFT%20COMPANY), [Wichita, KS](https://openairdocs.org/faa-place/KS/Wichita) ## Related - Other Balloon Works FIREFLY 8B-15 aircraft: https://openairdocs.org/model/balloon-works-firefly-8b-15/aircraft.md - The NONE engine: https://openairdocs.org/engine/none.md --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.