# N40104: Head Balloons AX9-118 - Status: Valid registration - Airframe: [Head Balloons AX9-118](https://openairdocs.org/model/head-balloons-ax9-118) (registry code 4280102, 1 seats) - Engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000) - Data sheets: [TCDS A29SO](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/A29SO) (Head Balloons Inc.) (OpenAirDocs) - Serial number: 439 - Type: Balloon - Engine type: None - Airworthiness: Standard, balloon - Airworthiness date: June 4, 2014 - Certificate issued: July 13, 2023 - Expires: July 31, 2030 - Mode S code: A4B2CD - Registered owner: [Plank Todd N](https://openairdocs.org/faa-owner/PLANK%20TODD%20N) - Location: [Elizabethtown, PA](https://openairdocs.org/faa-place/PA/Elizabethtown) - Owner type: Individual - Owner's area on the map: 40.1670° N, 76.6089° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at the center of ZIP code 17022, 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=40104 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N40104 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): 1 in force ### Matched by airframe (Head Balloons AX9-118) - [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 ### 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 ERA15LA319](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15LA319), Aug 16, 2015: Head AX9 118 (N40104), New Holland, PA, minor damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to adequately secure the vent line, which resulted in the premature deflation of the balloon’s envelope and its subsequent contact with power lines. Contributing to the accident… ## 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 20150815013719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150815013719A), Aug 15, 2015: Head Balloons Inc AX9-118 (N40104), New Holland, PA, Minor damage. After balloon landing event, PIC failed to control envelope deflation. Deflating balloon envelope contacted electrical power lines adjacent to landing site.… ## 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) (10) 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 (Head Balloons AX9-118) - [STC SB10564SC](https://openairdocs.org/stc/SB10564SC): Installation of Night Position Lights. Highland Balloon Repair, CRS NHMD682X - [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 SB00463AT](https://openairdocs.org/stc/SB00463AT): Installation of Cameran basket and burner systems. Head Balloons Inc - [STC SL2263SO](https://openairdocs.org/stc/SL2263SO): Installation of Aerostar (Raven) Models CW, W, and RW basket and burner systems. Head Balloons Inc - [STC SB02317AT](https://openairdocs.org/stc/SB02317AT): Installation of Sky Balloons (TC B01CE) baskets (sizes: 1.29m X 1.07M, 1.55M X 1.19M, and 1.80M X 1.29M) and burners (BR1 double burner and BR2 Mistral Double Burner) under Head Balloons' Model AX7-77, AX7-77b, AX8-88, AX8-88b, AX8-105 and AX9-118 envelopes. Head Balloons Inc - [STC SL2407SO](https://openairdocs.org/stc/SL2407SO): Attachment of Head Balloons hot air balloon envelopes with Adams Balloon Loft Model A50/A50S basket, burner, instruments, and fuel system components. Head Balloons Inc - [STC SB01867AT](https://openairdocs.org/stc/SB01867AT): Attachment of Head Balloons hot air balloon envelopes with Lindstrand Balloon basket, burner, instruments, and fuel system components. Head Balloons Inc - [STC SB01048AT](https://openairdocs.org/stc/SB01048AT): Installation of Thunder and Colt40X40, 40X48, 40X54, and 40X60 basket assemblies. Head Balloons Inc - [STC SL1748SO](https://openairdocs.org/stc/SL1748SO): Installation of Balloon Works sizes3.9, 4.0, 4.5, 4.9, and 5.0 baskets. Head Balloons Inc ## Earlier aircraft with N40104 The FAA can reassign an N-number once a registration is cancelled. These aircraft carried N40104 before. - [Cancelled 2006-07-12](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N40104-2006-07-12): Boeing 727-2M1, S/N 21091, built 1975. Exported to Senegal. Owner: [Boeing International Sales Corp](https://openairdocs.org/faa-owner/BOEING%20INTERNATIONAL%20SALES%20CORP), [Seattle, WA](https://openairdocs.org/faa-place/WA/Seattle) - [Cancelled 1965-05-20](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N40104-1965-05-20): Stinson 108, S/N 10834, built 1946. Owner: [Brotherton George R](https://openairdocs.org/faa-owner/BROTHERTON%20GEORGE%20R), [Pittsburgh 5, PA](https://openairdocs.org/faa-place/PA/Pittsburgh%205) ## Related - Other Head Balloons AX9-118 aircraft: https://openairdocs.org/model/head-balloons-ax9-118/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.