# N317W: Balloon Works FIREFLY 8 - Status: Valid registration - Airframe: [Balloon Works FIREFLY 8](https://openairdocs.org/model/balloon-works-firefly-8) (registry code 1050109, 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: F8-403 - Type: Balloon - Engine type: None - Airworthiness: Standard, balloon - Airworthiness date: May 2, 1994 - Certificate issued: August 19, 2026 - Expires: August 31, 2033 - Mode S code: A362C6 - Registered owner: [Silver Lining Ballooning LLC](https://openairdocs.org/faa-owner/SILVER%20LINING%20BALLOONING%20LLC) - Location: [Prairie Grove, AR](https://openairdocs.org/faa-place/AR/Prairie%20Grove) - Owner type: LLC - Owner's area on the map: 35.9339° N, 94.3311° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at the center of ZIP code 72753, within about 5 miles (OpenAirDocs). The owner's mailing address, not where the aircraft is based - FAA registry: https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=317W - Page: https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N317W 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 8) - [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 ERA16LA284](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA284), Aug 6, 2016: Balloon Works FIREFLY8 (N317W), Northwood, NH, no damage. Probable cause: The balloon pilot’s inadequate weather planning and improper decision to depart in reported increasing variable winds with nearby thunderstorms, which resulted in a subsequent hard landing and a… ## 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 20160806010759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160806010759A), Aug 6, 2016: Balloon Works FIREFLY 8 (N317W), Northwoods, NH, No damage, 1 fatal. Pilot departed field in pittsfield NH with 5 passengers. During the landing the Balloon hit the ground hard and bounced back airborne approximately 5 ft. 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 8) - [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 SB00078AT](https://openairdocs.org/stc/SB00078AT): Installation of Thunder & Colt carriage assemblies under Firefly balloon envelopes. JR Aerosports LTD - [STC SB01506AT](https://openairdocs.org/stc/SB01506AT): Attachment of Firefly hot air balloon envelopes. JR Aerosports LTD - [STC SB02972AT](https://openairdocs.org/stc/SB02972AT): Installation of Aerostar International carriages, burners, and instruments under a Firefly 10 balloon envelope. JR Aerosports LTD - [STC SL2828SO](https://openairdocs.org/stc/SL2828SO): Installation of the Galaxy 4860 basket on Firefly 8 envelope. 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 SB1679GL](https://openairdocs.org/stc/SB1679GL): Replace suspension cables with Finn-Bilt Ltd. suspension cableKit No. 119 (Firefly 5, 6B, 7B), Kit No. 219 (Firefly 6, 7B, 8B), Kit No. 319 (Firefly 8), or Kit No. 419 (Firefly 9). Viitala William Thomas - [STC SA5470NM](https://openairdocs.org/stc/SA5470NM): Installation of position light. Great American Balloon Co Inc - [STC SA4302NM](https://openairdocs.org/stc/SA4302NM): Installation of Electronics Int'l digital automatic engine analyzer. Electronics International ## Earlier aircraft with N317W The FAA can reassign an N-number once a registration is cancelled. These aircraft carried N317W before. - [Cancelled 1939-05-15](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N317W-1939-05-15): Bowlus S-1000, S/N S-26. Owner: [Bagley Birch And Bagley](https://openairdocs.org/faa-owner/BAGLEY%20BIRCH%20AND%20BAGLEY), [Oakland, CA](https://openairdocs.org/faa-place/CA/Oakland) ## Related - Other Balloon Works FIREFLY 8 aircraft: https://openairdocs.org/model/balloon-works-firefly-8/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.