# N8257U: Head Balloons AX8-88, registration cancelled 2018-01-29

- Type: Cancelled registration (FAA registry, deregistered aircraft)
- Cancelled: January 29, 2018
- Status when cancelled: Registration expired, pending cancellation
- Airframe: [Head Balloons AX8-88](https://openairdocs.org/model/head-balloons-ax8-88) (registry code 4280200)
- Data sheets: [TCDS A29SO](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/A29SO) (OpenAirDocs)
- Serial number: 246
- Type of aircraft: Balloon
- Certificate issued: November 6, 1996
- Last registry action: March 15, 2011
- Mode S code: AB46CE
- Owner when cancelled: [Malphurs Raymond A](https://openairdocs.org/faa-owner/MALPHURS%20RAYMOND%20A)
- Location: [Mesquite, TX](https://openairdocs.org/faa-place/TX/Mesquite)
- Owner type: Individual
- Owner's area on the map: 32.8139° N, 96.6311° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at the center of ZIP code 75150, within about 2 miles (OpenAirDocs). The owner's mailing address, not where the aircraft was based
- The mark today: https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8257U
- FAA registry: https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=8257U
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8257U-2018-01-29

From the FAA registry file of October 31, 2026, cancelled registrations. Owners' street addresses are left out. The Mode S code belongs to the N-number, not the airframe.

ADs and bulletins for the Head Balloons AX8-88: https://openairdocs.org/model/head-balloons-ax8-88.md

## 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.

- [Incident 19961123036349I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961123036349I), Nov 23, 1996: Head AX888HEAD (N8257U), El Paso, TX, Minor damage. Narrative: during landing approach the balloon suddenly dropped from wind shear. The pilot burned all the way down to minimize fall. On first bounce one…

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