Aircraft model · Balloon · Balloon · registry code 0050103

Manufacturer (registry)
ADAMS BALLOON
Model
A55
Registry code
0050103
Registered
24 aircraft
Type
Balloon
Engines
None
Weight class
Up to 12,499 lb
Certification
Type certificated
Data sheet
TCDSA15SO
Holder
Adams Aerostats LLC

Model codes come from the FAA registry’s reference file. ADs are matched to them by model name and maker.

On this page

Aircraft by year built · 47

1978Registered nowDeregistered2026
Aircraft by the year they were built: 47 aircraft
19783
19796
19805
19816
19828
19839
19842
19853
19861
19874

Airworthiness directives that may apply · 2

ADs whose products match this airframe model. Each AD’s applicability may narrow it by serial number, part number or configuration.

1976In forceSuperseded2026
ADs by the year they took effect: 2 ADs
19761
20131
Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "SELECT d.ad_number, d.status, d.subject, d.effective_date
  FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/faa_directive.parquet' d
  WHERE d.ad_id IN (SELECT ad_id FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/faa_aircraft_model_directive.parquet' WHERE aircraft_model_code IN ('0050103'))
  ORDER BY coalesce(d.effective_date, d.publication_date, d.issue_date) DESC, d.ad_number DESC"

Prints the whole list as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.

Information bulletins that may apply · 1

Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "SELECT s.saib_number, any_value(s.title) AS title, max(s.issue_date) AS issue_date, any_value(s.status) AS status
  FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/faa_saib.parquet' s
  WHERE s.saib_id IN (SELECT saib_id FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/faa_aircraft_model_saib.parquet' WHERE aircraft_model_code IN ('0050103'))
  GROUP BY s.saib_number ORDER BY issue_date DESC"

Prints the whole list as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.

Registered aircraft · 24

See all 24 registered aircraft
Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "SELECT n_number, serial_number, year_manufactured, status, registrant_name, registrant_city, registrant_state
  FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/faa_aircraft_registration.parquet'
  WHERE aircraft_model_code IN ('0050103')
  ORDER BY n_number"

Prints the whole list as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.

NTSB investigations · 6

Aircraft matched to this model through the registry, by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model.

Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "SELECT c.\"ntsbNumber\", c.\"eventDate\", c.\"eventType\", c.\"eventCity\", c.\"eventStateOrRegion\", a.n_number, a.\"aircraftMake\", a.\"aircraftModel\", c.\"highestInjuryLevel\", c.\"totalFatal\", c.\"completionStatus\", c.report_url
  FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c ON c.\"mKey\" = a.case_mkey
  WHERE a.aircraft_model_code IN ('0050103')
  ORDER BY c.\"eventDate\" DESC, c.\"ntsbNumber\" DESC"

Prints the whole list as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.

FAA incident reports · 13

Matched to this model through the registry, by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model.

Accident 20030615014299AAdams A55 · Albuquerque, NM(-23) During approach for landing balloon crossed over a paved parking lot. The heat being radiated created a thermal which caused the envelope and basket to begin rotating. The significant outside air temperature rise around the envelope exaggerated the…Jun 15, 2003 · N4031Z · Substantial damageIncident 19930919039539IAdams A55 · Kingsbury, NYPassenger blocked rip cord as pilot attempted to pull rip cord on landing. Balloon drifted to powerline. Deflated.Sep 19, 1993 · N9803N · Minor damageAccident 19900121001959AAdams A55 · Glendale, AZMade hard landing due to unforecasted strong surface wind. Suffered a broken ankle.Jan 21, 1990 · N4021LAccident 19891008039219AAdams A55 · Albuquerque, NMSnagged a tree on landing, broke free then reported a wind gust put balloon into powerlines. Occupants jumped out.Oct 8, 1989 · N1059S · Substantial damageIncident 19880330023049IAdams A55 · Jacksonville, FLAfter deplaning passengers and starting deflation the balloon envelope was blown into high tension wires.Mar 30, 1988 · N4016V · Minor damageIncident 19860823060909IAdams A55 · Walnut Grove, GAEnvelope struck powerlines after gondola touched down. Lines obscured by shade and trees.Aug 23, 1986 · N9064A · Minor damageAccident 19860420013369AAdams A55 · Alachua, FLDuring the landing, the wind tipped over the gondola. Two occupants fell on a third, breaking her leg.Apr 20, 1986 · N10600Incident 19860307025939IAdams A55 · Orlando, FLLanded in parking lot of amusement park after wind shift and fuel supply was low. Unauthorized landing site.Mar 7, 1986 · N1063AIncident 19830828067619IAdams A55 · Micanopy, FLOwners of a horse farm complained hot air balloon flew low over farm. Stampeded horses. One dead. Pilot denied it.Aug 28, 1983 · N10600Incident 19830526033549IAdams A55 · Crystal Lake, ILStudent allowed balloon crown line to become entangled. Unable to deflate on landing. Drifted into wires.May 26, 1983 · N1060NIncident 19821121065579IAdams A55 · Elgin, ILLanded in a street short of open field then brushed a building on liftoff to land in the open field.Nov 21, 1982 · N1062Q · Minor damageAccident 19800607020079AAdams A55 · Gainesville, FLBalloon came down over burner during landing. Balloon burned and totally destroyed.Jun 7, 1980 · N9073A · DestroyedAccident 19791209033809AAdams A50S · Ballwin, MOPassenger assigned task during landing. Prematurely deflated balloon at 50 ft. balloon made severe hard landing.Dec 9, 1979 · N1060N · Minor damage
Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "SELECT report_number, event_date, event_type, city, state, aircraft_make, aircraft_model, aircraft_damage, fatal_injuries, n_number
  FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/faa_incident_report.parquet'
  WHERE aircraft_model_code IN ('0050103')
  ORDER BY event_date DESC, report_number DESC"

Prints the whole list as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.

Service difficulty reports · 1

Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "SELECT sdr_id, difficulty_date, n_number, aircraft_make, aircraft_model, part_name, part_condition, jasc_code, discrepancy
  FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/faa_service_difficulty_report.parquet'
  WHERE aircraft_model_key = 'A55'
  ORDER BY difficulty_date DESC"

Prints the whole list as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.

STCs that may be installed · 4

Approved for this model: the STC’s model list names it on its data sheet, or a series that includes it. The registry doesn’t record which STCs an aircraft has.

Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "SELECT s.stc_number, s.description, s.holder, s.status, s.status_date, m.matched_model
  FROM (
    SELECT stc_number, min(matched_model) AS matched_model
    FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/faa_aircraft_model_stc.parquet'
    WHERE aircraft_model_code IN ('0050103')
    GROUP BY stc_number
  ) m JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/faa_stc.parquet' s USING (stc_number)
  ORDER BY s.status = 'Current' DESC, s.status_date DESC, s.stc_number"

Prints the whole list as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.

The same model under other registry codes

Amateur-built copies and renamed makers get their own codes.

Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "SELECT m.code, m.manufacturer, m.model, count(g.n_number) AS aircraft
  FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/faa_aircraft_model.parquet' m LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/faa_aircraft_registration.parquet' g ON g.aircraft_model_code = m.code
  WHERE m.match_key = 'A55' AND m.code NOT IN ('0050103')
  GROUP BY ALL
  ORDER BY aircraft DESC
  LIMIT 12"

Prints the whole list as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.