# N3171L: 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: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) - Data sheets: [TCDS A14SO](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/A14SO) (JR Aerosports Ltd.) (OpenAirDocs) - Serial number: F8B-493 - Year built: 1996 - Type: Balloon - Engine type: None - Airworthiness: Standard, balloon - Airworthiness date: February 15, 1996 - Certificate issued: July 30, 2015 - Expires: July 31, 2028 - Mode S code: A36358 - Registered owner: [Goodnow Tony A](https://openairdocs.org/faa-owner/GOODNOW%20TONY%20A) - Location: [Topeka, KS](https://openairdocs.org/faa-place/KS/Topeka) - Owner type: Individual - Owner's area on the map: 39.1348° N, 95.6232° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at the center of ZIP code 66617, within about 4 miles (OpenAirDocs). The owner's mailing address, not where the aircraft is based - FAA registry: https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=3171L - Page: https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3171L 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 (Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG) 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 CEN13CA278](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13CA278), May 11, 2013: Balloon Works Firefly 8B-15 (N3171L), Anthony, KS, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to monitor the balloon's altitude, which resulted in the balloon impacting an airport rotating beacon tower. ## 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 20130511010559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130511010559A), May 11, 2013: Balloon Works FIREFLY 8B-15 (N3171L), Anthony, KS, Substantial damage. The Balloon with the pilot and two passengers lifted off and obtained an altitude of approximately 200 feet. The pilot was in the process of setting the… ## 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 N3171L The FAA can reassign an N-number once a registration is cancelled. These aircraft carried N3171L before. - [Cancelled 1992-10-26](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3171L-1992-10-26): Cessna 310J, S/N 310J0171. Triennial form not returned. Owner: [Equip Lease Co](https://openairdocs.org/faa-owner/EQUIP%20LEASE%20CO), [Wheeling, WV](https://openairdocs.org/faa-place/WV/Wheeling) ## Related - Other Balloon Works FIREFLY 8B-15 aircraft: https://openairdocs.org/model/balloon-works-firefly-8b-15/aircraft.md - The Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG engine: https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng.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.