Aircraft model · Balloon · Balloon · registry code 1050118

Manufacturer (registry)
BALLOON WORKS
Model
FIREFLY 7-15
Registry code
1050118
Registered
157 aircraft
Type
Balloon
Engines
None
Seats
1
Weight class
Up to 12,499 lb
Certification
Type certificated
Data sheet
TCDSA14SO
Holder
JR Aerosports Ltd.

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

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Aircraft by year built · 244

1990Registered nowDeregistered2026
Aircraft by the year they were built: 244 aircraft
19903
199128
199230
199332
199427
199513
199628
199725
199826
199910
200019
20013

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 ('1050118'))
  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 ('1050118'))
  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 · 157

See all 157 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 ('1050118')
  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 · 13

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

NTSB CEN24LA093Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBalloon Works Firefly 7-15 · Albany, TXThe pilot’s failure to maintain a proper descent rate during the landing approach in a high wind condition.Jan 13, 2024 · N2582U · Substantial damageNTSB ERA23LA391Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBalloon Works Firefly 7 · Anderson, SCThe pilot’s failure to avoid trees during the descent for landing, resulting in substantial damage to the balloon.Sep 3, 2023 · N192HH · Substantial damageNTSB WPR19TA005Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportBalloon Works Firefly 7 · Placitas, NMThe pilot’s failure to properly estimate the height of terrain while descending the balloon, which resulted in the balloon impacting a hill and passengers sustaining serious injuries.Oct 10, 2018 · N7252H · No damageNTSB CEN12CA279Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBalloon Works Firefly 7-15 · Hallsville, MOThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines during landing.May 6, 2012 · N9079S · Substantial damageNTSB DFW08LA206Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBalloon Works Firefly 7-15 · Mountain Grove, MOAn on-board fire following a propane leak. Contributing to the accident was the lack of training/experience of the non-certificated pilot.Aug 17, 2008 · N90897 · Substantial damageNTSB DEN00LA071Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBalloon Works Firefly F-15 · Anthony, NMFailure by the pilot to keep the burner operating until the balloon was secured. A factor was the passengers disregarding the instructions they had been given by the pilot.Apr 9, 2000 · N2571F · Substantial damageNTSB CHI98LA184Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBalloon Works Firefly 7-15 · Waterloo, IAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the power lines during climb. A factor was the power lines.May 30, 1998 · N25491 · Substantial damageNTSB CHI96LA102Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBalloon Works Firefly 7-15 · Brighton, IAThe pilot's bone condition, which resulted in a fractured ankle during a normal touchdown.Feb 25, 1996 · N2598H · No damageNTSB FTW96FA063Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBalloon Works Firefly 7-15 · Oklahoma City, OKThe pilot's failure to maintain obstacle clearance during low altitude straight and level flight.Dec 9, 1995 · N25756 · DestroyedNTSB CHI94LA309Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBalloon Works Fire FLY 7-15 · Storm Lake, IAthe pilot's excessive rate of descent to landing. Factors in the accident were the gusts and downdraft.Sep 2, 1994 · N2597S · Substantial damageNTSB CHI94LA042Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBalloon Works Firefly 7-15 · Pratt, KSThe pilot-in-command's failure to maintain clearance from obstacles. Factors contributing to the accident are the pilot's misjudged fuel consumption calculations and the weather (high winds).Dec 5, 1993 · N9079M · Substantial damageNTSB NYC93LA143Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBalloon Works Fire FLY 7-15 · Milford, NHUnfavorable winds during landing which resulted in a hard landing and one passenger sustaining a broken angle.Aug 1, 1993 · N2574M · No damageNTSB MIA93IA052Incident · Minor injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportBalloon Works Firefly 7-15 · Orlando, FLPoor in-flight planning/decision by the pilot, and excessive descent resulting in a hard landing.Jan 2, 1993 · N9056D · No damage
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 ('1050118')
  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 · 20

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

See all 20 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 ('1050118')
  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 · 3

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 = 'FIREFLY715'
  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 · 13

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 ('1050118')
    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.

PMA parts · 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.

Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "SELECT drs_guid, part_number, part_name, holder, pma_number, replaces_part, supplement_date, tcds_models
  FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/faa_type_certificate_pma.parquet'
  WHERE tcds_number IN ('A14SO')
    AND len(list_intersect(tcds_models, ['Firefly 7-15'])) > 0
  ORDER BY supplement_date DESC, drs_guid 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.

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 = 'FIREFLY715' AND m.code NOT IN ('1050118')
  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.