# Balloon Works FIREFLY 6B

- Type: Aircraft model (FAA registry)
- Registry code: 1050103
- Manufacturer (registry): BALLOON WORKS
- Model: FIREFLY 6B
- Aircraft type: Balloon
- Category: Balloon
- Engines: None
- Seats: 0
- Weight class: Up to 12,499 lb
- Cruise speed: 67 mph
- Certification: Type certificated
- Data sheet: [TCDS A14SO](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/A14SO) (OpenAirDocs)
- Holder: JR Aerosports Ltd.
- Registered aircraft: 12
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/model/balloon-works-firefly-6b

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

## ADs that may apply (OpenAirDocs)

Matched to this model by model name and maker. Each AD's applicability may narrow it by serial number, part number or equipment.

- [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
- [AD 81-05-03](https://openairdocs.org/ad/81-05-03): Fuel tank shut-off valve modification · JR Aerosports Firefly 5, Firefly 6, Firefly 6B and 3 more. Effective Mar 11, 1981
- [AD 75-12-08](https://openairdocs.org/ad/75-12-08): Throttle or Trigger Valves · McGrath, Michael D. A-60S, A-B, A50S and 41 more. Effective Apr 30, 1976
- [AD 75-17-36](https://openairdocs.org/ad/75-17-36): Brass Nipple Failure · JR Aerosports Firefly 6, Firefly 6B and Firefly 7. Effective Aug 13, 1975

## Information bulletins (advisory) (1)

- [SAIB CE-11-44](https://openairdocs.org/saib/CE-11-44): Fuel: Cylinder Strap Installation. Issued Jul 13, 2011

## Registered aircraft (12)

- [N1533G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1533G): [Albertson James M](https://openairdocs.org/faa-owner/ALBERTSON%20JAMES%20M), [Westville, FL](https://openairdocs.org/faa-place/FL/Westville), S/N 10203
- [N1538A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1538A): [Bruce Bailey L H](https://openairdocs.org/faa-owner/BRUCE%20BAILEY%20L%20H), [Raleigh, NC](https://openairdocs.org/faa-place/NC/Raleigh), S/N 10191
- [N2039H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2039H): [Markowitz David B](https://openairdocs.org/faa-owner/MARKOWITZ%20DAVID%20B), [Maryland, NY](https://openairdocs.org/faa-place/NY/Maryland), built 1981, S/N 10865
- [N3738H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3738H): [Mccoy Timothy I](https://openairdocs.org/faa-owner/MCCOY%20TIMOTHY%20I), [Pittsburgh, PA](https://openairdocs.org/faa-place/PA/Pittsburgh), built 1983, S/N F6B-001
- [N3764F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3764F): [Balloons Over Iowa Ltd](https://openairdocs.org/faa-owner/BALLOONS%20OVER%20IOWA%20LTD), [Carlisle, IA](https://openairdocs.org/faa-place/IA/Carlisle), built 1984, S/N F6B-011
- [N40371](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N40371): [Bowman James A](https://openairdocs.org/faa-owner/BOWMAN%20JAMES%20A), [Oklahoma City, OK](https://openairdocs.org/faa-place/OK/Oklahoma%20City), built 1978, S/N 6738
- [N4038R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4038R): [Balloons Over Iowa Ltd](https://openairdocs.org/faa-owner/BALLOONS%20OVER%20IOWA%20LTD), [Carlisle, IA](https://openairdocs.org/faa-place/IA/Carlisle), built 1978, S/N 6740
- [N4052T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4052T): [Leonard Ian Q](https://openairdocs.org/faa-owner/LEONARD%20IAN%20Q), [Burlington, NC](https://openairdocs.org/faa-place/NC/Burlington), built 1981, S/N 10040
- [N40585](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N40585): [Shady Raymond](https://openairdocs.org/faa-owner/SHADY%20RAYMOND), [Casper, WY](https://openairdocs.org/faa-place/WY/Casper), S/N 6750
- [N7115H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7115H): [Makhlouf Mary H](https://openairdocs.org/faa-owner/MAKHLOUF%20MARY%20H), [Hurdle Mills, NC](https://openairdocs.org/faa-place/NC/Hurdle%20Mills), built 1987, S/N F6B-026
- [N8039H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8039H): [Bowlander Franklin G](https://openairdocs.org/faa-owner/BOWLANDER%20FRANKLIN%20G), [Clinton Corners, NY](https://openairdocs.org/faa-place/NY/Clinton%20Corners), built 1977, S/N 6681
- [N9075F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9075F): [Brielmann Kevin C](https://openairdocs.org/faa-owner/BRIELMANN%20KEVIN%20C), [Cromwell, CT](https://openairdocs.org/faa-place/CT/Cromwell), S/N F6B-040

## NTSB investigations (6)

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 FTW89FA143](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89FA143), Aug 5, 1989: Balloon Works Firefly 6B (N27113), Baton Rouge, LA, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: THE 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…
- [NTSB CHI85LA291](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85LA291), Jul 16, 1985: Balloon Works Firefly 6B (N1533S), Battle Creek, MI, substantial damage
- [NTSB LAX84LA246](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA246), Apr 8, 1984: Balloon Works Fire FLY 6B (N2014F), Prescott Valley, AZ, no damage
- [NTSB NYC84LA139](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84LA139), Feb 10, 1984: Balloon Works Fire FLY 6B (N3738H), Butler, PA, substantial damage
- [NTSB SEA80FYM60](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA80FYM60), Sep 6, 1980: BLN Works FF-6B (N27057), Shedd, OR, destroyed, 1 fatal
- [NTSB DEN78DQA05](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN78DQA05-201268), Oct 15, 1978: Firefly 6B (N27015), Albuquerque, NM, substantial damage

## FAA accident and incident reports (22)

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 19961225044769I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961225044769I), Dec 25, 1996: Balwks FIREFLY6B (N2376H), New Braunfels, TX, Minor damage. Narrative: 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…
- [Accident 19961001030639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961001030639A), Oct 1, 1996: Balwks FIREFLY6B (N2459H), Cedar City, UT, Substantial damage. Aircraft lost control shortly after takeoff due to weight distribution in aircraft and crashed.
- [Incident 19950822034369I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950822034369I), Aug 22, 1995: Balwks FIREFLY6B (N9019V), Columbia, MO, Minor damage. Descended for target in balloon meet. Saw power line. Vented but skirt hit wires. Wires parted due arcing.
- [Incident 19900915048152I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900915048152I), Sep 15, 1990: Balwks FIREFLY6B (N9019V), Creston, IA. Pilot of N3721G climbed his balloon into basket of N9010V. Able to recover and land safely.
- [Accident 19890805027299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890805027299A), Aug 5, 1989: Balwks FIREFLY6B (N27113), Baton Rouge, LA, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Balloon ascended at high rate, followed by high rate of descent and streamer. Impacted at high rate of descent.
- [Incident 19850812075559I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850812075559I), Aug 12, 1985: Balwks FIREFLY6B (N4058V), Grand Rapids, MI, Minor damage. Contacted high tension wires after entering an unintentional descent from 300 feet.
- [Accident 19850716071312A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850716071312A), Jul 16, 1985: Balwks FIREFLY6B (N1533S), Battlecreek, MI, Substantial damage. Ascended until basket of descending balloon above the ifrog,tore a hole in the envelope. 1533S descended into tree.
- [Accident 19840407013019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840407013019A), Apr 7, 1984: Balwks FIREFLY6B (N2014F), Prescott Valley, AZ. A passener was injured when balloon made a high wind landing and the gondola tipped over.
- [Accident 19840210054289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840210054289A), Feb 10, 1984: Balwks FIREFLY6B (N3738H), Butler, PA, Substantial damage. Added heat to slow descent. Added heat caused balloon to rise after touchdown and drift into trees.
- [Incident 19820904059439I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820904059439I), Sep 4, 1982: Balwks FIREFLY6 (N4056G), Katy, TX, Minor damage. Hot air balloon scraped the roof of a house while approaching to land in an open field.
- [Incident 19820131001559I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820131001559I), Jan 31, 1982: Balwks FIREFLY6B (N2051F), Ft Collins, CO, Minor damage. Wind gust caused balloon to hit parked vehicle landing in parking lot. Unable to heat fast enough for go-around.
- [Incident 19810912081689I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810912081689I), Sep 12, 1981: Balwks FIREFLY6B (N2429H), Mayer, AZ, Minor damage. Pilot claimed rotor windshear while climbing over a hill, caused forced landing. Hot wires. Wind almost calm.
- [Incident 19810511040439I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810511040439I), May 11, 1981: Balwks FIREFLY6B (N2086F), Mount Vernon, WI. Balloon struck a power line during landing approach. Pilot said sun was in his eyes and there were no poles in area
- [Incident 19801009077951I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19801009077951I), Oct 9, 1980: Balwks FIREFLY6B (N27124), Albuquerque, NM, Minor damage. During a mass balloon ascent, this balloon climbed into the one above. Envelope damaged, landed with 1 minor injury
- [Accident 19800906040449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800906040449A), Sep 6, 1980: Balwks FIREFLY6B (N27057), Shedd, OR, Destroyed. Ran out of fuel. Balloon drifted & descended into power line. Basket caught fire, hit ground, baloon seperated.
- [Incident 19800816063579I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800816063579I), Aug 16, 1980: Balwks FIREFLY6B (N1528G), Knox, NY, Minor damage. Pilot unable to control balloon. Struck powerline.
- [Accident 19800621025429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800621025429A), Jun 21, 1980: Balwks FIREFLY6B (N2044F), Naturita, CO, Substantial damage. Burner flamed-out trying to avoid power lines. Impact severed cables. Dropped basket to ground. Cause unknown.
- [Incident 19790428025179I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790428025179I), Apr 28, 1979: Balwks FIREFLY6B (N27008), Northglenn, CO, Minor damage. Balloon caught by a gust of wind after landing and was carried into electric wires.
- [Accident 19781015032089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19781015032089A), Oct 15, 1978: Balwks FIREFLY6B (N27015), Albuquerque, NM, Substantial damage
- [Incident 19780429014619I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780429014619I), Apr 29, 1978: Balwks FIREFLY6B (N2490H), Albuquerque, NM, Substantial damage. Student turned on burners for descent and heard strange popping noises. Hole appeared. Safe landing.
- [Accident 19771130037259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19771130037259A), Nov 30, 1977: Balwks FIREFLY6B (N2053H), CO, Substantial damage
- [Accident 19760717020159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19760717020159A), Jul 17, 1976: Balwks FIREFLY6B (N2047F), Liberty, MO, Substantial damage. Plt light burner valve packing gland nut not saftied. Pres propane sprayed out,caught fire.

## STCs that may be installed (OpenAirDocs) (19)

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

- [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 SB01506AT](https://openairdocs.org/stc/SB01506AT): Attachment of Firefly hot air balloon envelopes. JR Aerosports LTD
- [STC SA00680SE](https://openairdocs.org/stc/SA00680SE): Installation of Electronics International model UBG-16 or UBG-16T bar graph engine analyzer. Electronics International
- [STC SB02218AK](https://openairdocs.org/stc/SB02218AK): Design, fabrication, and installation of replacement balloon envelope. Alaska Consulting Mfg & Eng LLC
- [STC SB918GL](https://openairdocs.org/stc/SB918GL): Addition of a refueling adapter to the main fuel line. LTA Aviation Inc
- [STC SB00374NY](https://openairdocs.org/stc/SB00374NY): Installation of Aerostat Envelopes Model W-100-3 replacement envelope. Ronald T. DiGiovanni
- [STC SB790NE](https://openairdocs.org/stc/SB790NE): Installation of an Aerostat Envelope, Model W-140-3 replacement envelope (3 point system). Ronald T. DiGiovanni
- [STC SA2739SW](https://openairdocs.org/stc/SA2739SW): Installation of electric blast valve. John Terry
- [STC SB00407LA](https://openairdocs.org/stc/SB00407LA): Installation of foam padded tank covers. John Terry
- [STC SB00408LA](https://openairdocs.org/stc/SB00408LA): Installation of protective caps on basket oak runners. Pacific Southwest Aerostats
- [STC SA1626NM PAGE 1](https://openairdocs.org/stc/SA1626NM%20PAGE%201): Installation of Electronics Int'l Digital EGT/CHT Instruments and accessories. (201 Series). Electronics International
- [STC SB1679GL](https://openairdocs.org/stc/SB1679GL): Replace suspension cables with Finn-Bilt Ltd. suspension cableKit No. 119 (Firefly 5, 6B, 7B), Kit No. 219 (Firefly 6, 7B, 8B), Kit No. 319 (Firefly 8), or Kit No. 419 (Firefly 9). Viitala William Thomas
- [STC SA5470NM](https://openairdocs.org/stc/SA5470NM): Installation of position light. Great American Balloon Co Inc
- [STC SA4302NM](https://openairdocs.org/stc/SA4302NM): Installation of Electronics Int'l digital automatic engine analyzer. Electronics International
- [STC SA1908CE](https://openairdocs.org/stc/SA1908CE): Installation of a National Ballooning Model 752-12 envelope. National Ballooning Ltd
- [STC SB265NE](https://openairdocs.org/stc/SB265NE): Replacement of envelope fabric repair material with ripstop polyester. Ballooning Adventures
- [STC SB11WE](https://openairdocs.org/stc/SB11WE): Installation of a digital readout balloon envelope temperature indicator. Advanced Aircraft Components
- [STC SB2WE](https://openairdocs.org/stc/SB2WE): Installation of digital readout balloon envelope temperature indicator. Advanced Aircraft Components

## PMA parts (OpenAirDocs) (3)

Current parts manufacturer approvals (PMA): parts the FAA has approved companies to make as replacements or modifications. Each record lists its models as free text; OpenAirDocs matched them to this model on its data sheet, so check the FAA record before relying on it. Newest first.

- [All parts noted on John Terry Master Drawing List TCC 001 as listed on Approved Model List SB00408LA](https://drs.faa.gov/browse/excelExternalWindow/2F62196899E6528D8525704D004C82BC.0001): Tank Cover. Terry Associates · Modification part · Nov 6, 2000
- [All parts noted on MDL TCC 001 as listed on AML No. SB00408LA](https://drs.faa.gov/browse/excelExternalWindow/C97689D806730C3A8525704D004C84D0.0001): Tank Cover. Terry Associates - Aerostatic Engineering · Modification part · Sep 2, 1997
- [W-140-3](https://drs.faa.gov/browse/excelExternalWindow/507AB94F43D7A5F38525703F004DD08F.0001): Hot Air Balloon Envelope. Custom Nine Designs Inc · Replaces 6, 6B, 7, 7B, 8-24, 8B · Apr 29, 1993

## The same model under other registry codes

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

- [Firefly Balloons FIREFLY 6B](https://openairdocs.org/model/firefly-balloons-firefly-6b): 1 registered aircraft, registry code 1050162

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