# N45303: Head Balloons AX8-88 - Status: Registration pending - Airframe: [Head Balloons AX8-88](https://openairdocs.org/model/head-balloons-ax8-88) (registry code 4280200, 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: 154 - Type: Balloon - Engine type: None - Airworthiness: Standard - Airworthiness date: November 10, 1988 - Mode S code: A57FB5 - Location: [El Mirage, AZ](https://openairdocs.org/faa-place/AZ/El%20Mirage) - Owner type: Individual - Owner's area on the map: 33.5854° N, 112.3268° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at the center of ZIP code 85335, within about 2 miles (OpenAirDocs). The owner's mailing address, not where the aircraft is based - FAA registry: https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=45303 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N45303 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 AX8-88) - [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 WPR20CA262](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA262), Aug 3, 2020: Head AX8 88 (N45303), Jackson, WY, minor damage. Probable cause: The balloon pilot’s inability to maintain altitude during un-forecasted weather, which resulted in a hard landing. ## NTSB investigations on N45303 not matched to an aircraft (2) 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 OAK76DVG66](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK76DVG66), Apr 19, 1976: Naval Fcty N3N-3 (N45303), Richvale, CA, destroyed - [NTSB OAK67D0332](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK67D0332), May 18, 1967: Naval Fcty N3N (N45303), Chico, CA, substantial damage ## 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 20200803015529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200803015529A), Aug 3, 2020: Head Balloons Inc AX8-88 (N45303), Jackson, WY, No damage. 180 Degree shift in wind caused pilot to make emergency landing ## Reports on N45303 not matched to an aircraft (1) They name N45303, but no registry record covers the date, the aircraft registered then was built later, or the report describes another aircraft. - [Accident 19760419009469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19760419009469A), Apr 19, 1976: Naval N3N3 (N45303), Richvale, CA, Substantial damage. Circling at low alt waiting for otr acft to dep strip. ## 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 AX8-88) - [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 N45303 The FAA can reassign an N-number once a registration is cancelled. These aircraft carried N45303 before. - [Cancelled (date not recorded)](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N45303-undated): Naval Aircraft Factory N3N-3, S/N 2874. Triennial form not returned ## Related - Other Head Balloons AX8-88 aircraft: https://openairdocs.org/model/head-balloons-ax8-88/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.