# N4502A: Head Balloons AX8-88B - Status: Valid registration - Airframe: [Head Balloons AX8-88B](https://openairdocs.org/model/head-balloons-ax8-88b) (registry code 4280202, 4 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: 166 - Type: Balloon - Engine type: None - Airworthiness: Standard, balloon - Airworthiness date: May 30, 1990 - Certificate issued: December 17, 2023 - Expires: December 31, 2030 - Mode S code: A574BB - Registered owner: [Fitzgerald William J](https://openairdocs.org/faa-owner/FITZGERALD%20WILLIAM%20J) - Location: [Lubbock, TX](https://openairdocs.org/faa-place/TX/Lubbock) - Owner type: Individual - Owner's area on the map: 33.5779° N, 101.8552° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Lubbock, TX, within about 7 miles (OpenAirDocs). The owner's mailing address, not where the aircraft is based - FAA registry: https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=4502A - Page: https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4502A 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 AX8-88B) - [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 WPR27LA004](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR27LA004), Oct 3, 2026: Head Balloons AX8-88B (N4502A), Albuquerque, NM, substantial damage, investigation ongoing ## FAA accident and incident reports None matched to N4502A. ## Reports on N4502A not matched to an aircraft (1) They name N4502A, but no registry record covers the date, the aircraft registered then was built later, or the report describes another aircraft. - [Incident 19970323011299I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970323011299I), Mar 23, 1997: Head AX888HEAD (N4502A), Columbia, MO. Narrative: on March 23, 1997, MS. Mary jane waters operated Head lighter than air, free balloon, N4502A, as pilot in command in the vicinity of Columbia,… ## 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 AX8-88B) - [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 SB534CH](https://openairdocs.org/stc/SB534CH): Installation of basket/burner system and fuel tanks. (AX8-88B S/N 161). Ludwig Ruth ## Earlier aircraft with N4502A The FAA can reassign an N-number once a registration is cancelled. These aircraft carried N4502A before. - [Cancelled 2021-11-29](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4502A-2021-11-29): Air Tractor AT-802A, S/N 802A-0918. Exported to Brazil. Owner: [Air Tractor Inc](https://openairdocs.org/faa-owner/AIR%20TRACTOR%20INC), [Olney, TX](https://openairdocs.org/faa-place/TX/Olney) - [Cancelled 1970-10-22](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4502A-1970-10-22): Piper PA-22-150, S/N 22-3805. Owner: [Litton H J Jr](https://openairdocs.org/faa-owner/LITTON%20H%20J%20JR), [Hartsville, SC](https://openairdocs.org/faa-place/SC/Hartsville) ## Related - Other Head Balloons AX8-88B aircraft: https://openairdocs.org/model/head-balloons-ax8-88b/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.