Balloon Works FIREFLY 6B airworthiness directives

Aircraft by year built · 125

1975Registered nowDeregistered2026

Aircraft by the year they were built: 125 aircraft
1975	9
1976	24
1977	40
1978	17
1979	7
1980	9
1981	3
1982	2
1983	1
1984	7
1985	1
1987	4
1991	1

Airworthiness directives that may apply · 4

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

1975In forceSuperseded2026

ADs by the year they took effect: 4 ADs
1975	1
1976	1
1981	1
2013	1

Airframe · Balloon Works FIREFLY 6B

AD 2013-03-10HardwareEffective Mar 19, 2013 AD 81-05-03Fuel tank shut-off valve modificationEffective Mar 11, 1981 AD 75-12-08Throttle or Trigger ValvesEffective Apr 30, 1976 AD 75-17-36Brass Nipple FailureEffective Aug 13, 1975

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 ('1050103'))
  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.

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 ('1050103'))
ORDER BY coalesce(d.effective_date, d.publication_date, d.issue_date) DESC, d.ad_number DESC

Run it at the DuckDB prompt, or in any tool that reads Parquet over HTTPS. More ways to query the release are on Use the data.

Information bulletins that may apply · 1

Airframe · Balloon Works FIREFLY 6B

SAIB CE-11-44Fuel: Cylinder Strap InstallationIssued Jul 13, 2011

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 ('1050103'))
  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.

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 ('1050103'))
GROUP BY s.saib_number ORDER BY issue_date DESC

Run it at the DuckDB prompt, or in any tool that reads Parquet over HTTPS. More ways to query the release are on Use the data.

Registered aircraft · 12

N1533GAlbertson James M · Westville, FLS/N 10203 N1538ABruce Bailey L H · Raleigh, NCS/N 10191 N2039HMarkowitz David B · Maryland, NYBuilt 1981 · S/N 10865 N3738HMccoy Timothy I · Pittsburgh, PABuilt 1983 · S/N F6B-001 N3764FBalloons Over Iowa Ltd · Carlisle, IABuilt 1984 · S/N F6B-011 N40371Bowman James A · Oklahoma City, OKBuilt 1978 · S/N 6738 N4038RBalloons Over Iowa Ltd · Carlisle, IABuilt 1978 · S/N 6740 N4052TLeonard Ian Q · Burlington, NCBuilt 1981 · S/N 10040 N40585Shady Raymond · Casper, WYS/N 6750 N7115HMakhlouf Mary H · Hurdle Mills, NCBuilt 1987 · S/N F6B-026 N8039HBowlander Franklin G · Clinton Corners, NYBuilt 1977 · S/N 6681 N9075FBrielmann Kevin C · Cromwell, CTS/N F6B-040

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 ('1050103')
  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.

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 ('1050103')
ORDER BY n_number

Run it at the DuckDB prompt, or in any tool that reads Parquet over HTTPS. More ways to query the release are on Use the data.

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.

First occurrence, 1982 to 2007

Of 4 cases with NTSB’s older coding, defined in its coding manual.

NTSB FTW89FA143Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBalloon Works Firefly 6B · Baton Rouge, LAThe pilot exceeded the temperature limitations of the Balloon during the climb, which resulted in failure of the frabric. Factors related to the accident were: the previous heat damage to the frabric, and the lack of maintenance by the pilot/owner.Aug 5, 1989 · N27113 · Substantial damage NTSB CHI85LA291Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBalloon Works Firefly 6B · Battle Creek, MIThe envelope of Balloon N1533S was penetrated and torn by the basket of Balloon i-frog. The envelope was damaged to the degree that altitude could not be sustained. The aeronqut of N1533S was seriously injured upon ground impact. I-frog was landed without…Jul 16, 1985 · N1533S · 2 aircraft · Substantial damage NTSB LAX84LA246Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBalloon Works Fire FLY 6B · Prescott Valley, AZWhen the Balloon took off, the winds were virtually calm. However, during the last 30 minutes of flt, the surface winds increased to an estimated 15 KTS which necessitated a high wind landing. The gondola tipped over during the landing & one of the passengers…Apr 8, 1984 · N2014F · No damage NTSB NYC84LA139Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBalloon Works Fire FLY 6B · Butler, PADuring a descent to land, the plt of a Balloon tried to level off to reach a desired touch down point. The plt added heat, but the Balloon continued to descend. After a hard bounced landing, the Balloon began to ascend, but it collided with tree limbs & was…Feb 10, 1984 · N3738H · Substantial damage NTSB SEA80FYM60Accident · 1 fatalClosedBLN Works FF-6B · Shedd, ORSep 6, 1980 · N27057 · Destroyed NTSB DEN78DQA05Accident · No injuriesClosedFirefly 6B · Albuquerque, NMOct 15, 1978 · N27015 · Substantial damage

Query with SQL

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 ('1050103') ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC

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 ('1050103')
  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.

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 ('1050103')
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC

Run it at the DuckDB prompt, or in any tool that reads Parquet over HTTPS. More ways to query the release are on Use the data.

FAA incident reports · 22

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

Incident 19961225044769IBalwks FIREFLY6B · New Braunfels, TXNarrative: on December 25, 1996, nathan ray flugrath launched his hot air balloon at 4:30 pm, from an ultra-light field off of FM444, near New Braunfels. When he took off with the hot air balloon his operating pressure was showing 80 PSI (normal is 125-140…Dec 25, 1996 · N2376H · Minor damage Accident 19961001030639ABalwks FIREFLY6B · Cedar City, UTAircraft lost control shortly after takeoff due to weight distribution in aircraft and crashed.Oct 1, 1996 · N2459H · Substantial damage Incident 19950822034369IBalwks FIREFLY6B · Columbia, MODescended for target in balloon meet. Saw power line. Vented but skirt hit wires. Wires parted due arcing.Aug 22, 1995 · N9019V · Minor damage

See all 22 incident reports

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 ('1050103')
  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.

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 ('1050103')
ORDER BY event_date DESC, report_number DESC

Run it at the DuckDB prompt, or in any tool that reads Parquet over HTTPS. More ways to query the release are on Use the data.

Service difficulty reports

No reports name this modelGeneral aviation reporting is voluntary.

STCs that may be installed · 19

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.

STC SB09657RCInstallation of Aircraft Position LightsAlbuquerque Balloon Center, Inc.STC SB04407ATInstallation of the DBI-III OmegaBalloonacy, Ltd. LLC STC SB01506ATAttachment of Firefly hot air balloon envelopes.JR Aerosports LTD

See all 19 STCs

Query with SQL

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 ('1050103') 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

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 ('1050103')
    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.

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 ('1050103')
  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

Run it at the DuckDB prompt, or in any tool that reads Parquet over HTTPS. More ways to query the release are on Use the data.

The same model under other registry codes

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

Firefly Balloons FIREFLY 6B1 registered aircraftRegistry code 1050162

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 = 'FIREFLY6B' AND m.code NOT IN ('1050103')
  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.

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 = 'FIREFLY6B' AND m.code NOT IN ('1050103')
GROUP BY ALL
ORDER BY aircraft DESC
LIMIT 12

Run it at the DuckDB prompt, or in any tool that reads Parquet over HTTPS. More ways to query the release are on Use the data.