# Balloon Works FIREFLY 8

- Type: Aircraft model (FAA registry)
- Registry code: 1050109
- Manufacturer (registry): BALLOON WORKS
- Model: FIREFLY 8
- Aircraft type: Balloon
- Category: Balloon
- Engines: None
- Seats: 1
- Weight class: Up to 12,499 lb
- Certification: Type certificated
- Data sheet: [TCDS A14SO](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/A14SO) (OpenAirDocs)
- Holder: JR Aerosports Ltd.
- Registered aircraft: 18
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/model/balloon-works-firefly-8

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 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

## 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 (18)

- [N25536](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N25536): [Dekoevend Enterprises](https://openairdocs.org/faa-owner/DEKOEVEND%20ENTERPRISES), [Fort Garland, CO](https://openairdocs.org/faa-place/CO/Fort%20Garland), built 1992, S/N F8-389
- [N25902](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N25902): [Blue Ridge Hot Air Balloons LLC](https://openairdocs.org/faa-owner/BLUE%20RIDGE%20HOT%20AIR%20BALLOONS%20LLC), [Front Royal, VA](https://openairdocs.org/faa-place/VA/Front%20Royal), S/N F8-406
- [N30922](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N30922): [Hart Randy Alan](https://openairdocs.org/faa-owner/HART%20RANDY%20ALAN), [Meridian, ID](https://openairdocs.org/faa-place/ID/Meridian), S/N F8-417
- [N317W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N317W): [Silver Lining Ballooning LLC](https://openairdocs.org/faa-owner/SILVER%20LINING%20BALLOONING%20LLC), [Prairie Grove, AR](https://openairdocs.org/faa-place/AR/Prairie%20Grove), S/N F8-403
- [N3208G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3208G): [Napa Valley Aloft Inc](https://openairdocs.org/faa-owner/NAPA%20VALLEY%20ALOFT%20INC), [Yountville, CA](https://openairdocs.org/faa-place/CA/Yountville), built 1996, S/N F8-414
- [N3269D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3269D): [Lewis John R](https://openairdocs.org/faa-owner/LEWIS%20JOHN%20R), [Leakey, TX](https://openairdocs.org/faa-place/TX/Leakey), built 1996, S/N F8-420
- [N3691H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3691H): [Ponticelli John T](https://openairdocs.org/faa-owner/PONTICELLI%20JOHN%20T), [East Bend, NC](https://openairdocs.org/faa-place/NC/East%20Bend), S/N F8-379
- [N7013U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7013U): [Cortright Justin L](https://openairdocs.org/faa-owner/CORTRIGHT%20JUSTIN%20L), [Endicott, NY](https://openairdocs.org/faa-place/NY/Endicott), built 1999, S/N F8-429
- [N7053Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7053Z): [Star Ballooning LLC](https://openairdocs.org/faa-owner/STAR%20BALLOONING%20LLC), [Bridgewater, VA](https://openairdocs.org/faa-place/VA/Bridgewater), built 1998, S/N F8-427
- [N70724](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N70724): [Blue Ridge Hot Air Balloons LLC](https://openairdocs.org/faa-owner/BLUE%20RIDGE%20HOT%20AIR%20BALLOONS%20LLC), [Front Royal, VA](https://openairdocs.org/faa-place/VA/Front%20Royal), S/N F8-436
- [N72104](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N72104): [Mills Ronald Keith](https://openairdocs.org/faa-owner/MILLS%20RONALD%20KEITH), [Piedmont, OK](https://openairdocs.org/faa-place/OK/Piedmont), built 1999, S/N F8-432
- [N72277](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N72277): [Rauch Seth J](https://openairdocs.org/faa-owner/RAUCH%20SETH%20J), [Wamsutter, WY](https://openairdocs.org/faa-place/WY/Wamsutter), built 1999, S/N F8428
- [N777HB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N777HB): [Markowitz David](https://openairdocs.org/faa-owner/MARKOWITZ%20DAVID), [Maryland, NY](https://openairdocs.org/faa-place/NY/Maryland), built 1997, S/N F8-422
- [N9069D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9069D): [Saldana Adolfo](https://openairdocs.org/faa-owner/SALDANA%20ADOLFO), [Emmett, ID](https://openairdocs.org/faa-place/ID/Emmett), S/N F8-369
- [N9070D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9070D): [Skylifter LLC](https://openairdocs.org/faa-owner/SKYLIFTER%20LLC), [Naples, FL](https://openairdocs.org/faa-place/FL/Naples), built 1990, S/N F8-370
- [N90719](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N90719): [Grauberger Sheldon D](https://openairdocs.org/faa-owner/GRAUBERGER%20SHELDON%20D), [Minden, NV](https://openairdocs.org/faa-place/NV/Minden), S/N F8-356
- [N9074M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9074M): [De Koevend Enterprises](https://openairdocs.org/faa-owner/DE%20KOEVEND%20ENTERPRISES), [Fort Garland, CO](https://openairdocs.org/faa-place/CO/Fort%20Garland), S/N F8-378
- [N9091R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9091R): [Dunn Jason A](https://openairdocs.org/faa-owner/DUNN%20JASON%20A), [Galesburg, IL](https://openairdocs.org/faa-place/IL/Galesburg), built 1990, S/N F8-353

## 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 ERA16LA284](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA284), Aug 6, 2016: Balloon Works FIREFLY8 (N317W), Northwood, NH, no damage. Probable cause: The balloon pilot’s inadequate weather planning and improper decision to depart in reported increasing variable winds with nearby thunderstorms, which resulted in a subsequent hard landing and a…
- [NTSB CEN11CA654](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA654), Sep 17, 2011: Balloon Works Firefly 8 (N3181A), Mingo, IA, no damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the balloon’s descent during the landing, which resulted in the balloon having a hard landing in a ditch and causing a passenger to be seriously injured.
- [NTSB FTW00LA224](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW00LA224), Aug 6, 2000: Balloon Works Firefly 8 (N9091R), Tulsa, OK, minor damage. Probable cause: The passenger's failure to comply with the briefing administered by the pilot. Factors were the passenger's physical impairment due to an injury sustained during the initial ground impact and the…
- [NTSB ATL99LA047](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL99LA047), Feb 6, 1999: Balloon Works AX-8 (N32877), Beech Island, SC, destroyed. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to follow the balloon checklist that resulted in a ground fire that destroyed the balloon envelope.
- [NTSB LAX94LA244](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA244), Jun 5, 1994: Balloon Works Firefly 8 (N9084D), Acton, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's improper in-flight planning and his misjudging the wind speed information. Contributing factors were the gusty winds and the lack of suitable terrain.
- [NTSB LAX90LA279](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA279), Aug 7, 1990: Balloon Works Firefly 8 (N9023Z), Napa, CA, no damage. Probable cause: THE FLIGHT'S ENCOUNTER WITH A PROBABLE MICROBURST WEATHER PHENOMENA WITH DOWN DRAFTS AND WINDS BEYOND THE PERFORMANCE CAPABILITY OF THE BALLOON.

## FAA accident and incident reports (10)

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.

- [Accident 20160806010759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160806010759A), Aug 6, 2016: Balloon Works FIREFLY 8 (N317W), Northwoods, NH, No damage, 1 fatal. Pilot departed field in pittsfield NH with 5 passengers. During the landing the Balloon hit the ground hard and bounced back airborne approximately 5 ft. the…
- [Accident 20110916021719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110916021719A), Sep 16, 2011: Balloon Works FIREFLY 8 (N3181A), Mingo, IA, No damage. During a hard landing in a hot air Balloon, a passenger on board suffered a broken ankle. The landing occurred in 10 knots of wind, which is near the normal…
- [Incident 20100928046599I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100928046599I), Sep 28, 2010: Balloon Wor FIREFLY 8 (N3181A), Reasnor, IA, Minor damage. While maneuvering the Balloon into position for the purpose of dropping a bean bag into a vehicle located on a road below, the pilot failed to maintain…
- [Incident 20041009031889I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20041009031889I), Oct 9, 2004: Balwks FIREFLY8 (N90855), Springfield, IL, Minor damage. (-23) Balloon was on a local pleasure flight and had been airborne for approximately 15 minutes and was headed in southwesterly direction. The pilot reported…
- [Accident 20000806006379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000806006379A), Aug 6, 2000: Balwks FIREFLY8 (N9091R), Catoosa, OK, No damage. (-23) The pilot stated that he was participating in a balloon race with gatesway international balloon festival. He had four passengers on board. The winds had…
- [Accident 19990206001219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990206001219A), Feb 6, 1999: Balwks FIREFLY8 (N32877), Beech Island, SC, Destroyed. Firefly AX-8 hot air balloon landed in a hay field, the basket tipped over and the pilot light set the hay field on fire which spread to the balloon envelope.…
- [Accident 19940605015229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940605015229A), Jun 5, 1994: Balwks FIREFLY8 (N9084D), Acton, CA, Substantial damage. Impacted in a ravine during high wind lalnding. Reported forecast indicated light winds. Low on fuel had to land.
- [Incident 19921101048049I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921101048049I), Nov 1, 1992: Balwks FIREFLY8 (N9084D), Sepulveda, CA, Minor damage. Strong winds caused pilot to attempt to land balloon. Pilot landed by collapsing the canopy few feet above ground.
- [Incident 19920614030439I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920614030439I), Jun 14, 1992: Balwks FIREFLY8 (N9067H), Napa, CA. While attempting to land pilot unable to adjust his altitude. Descended onto a house in housing development.
- [Accident 19900807031079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900807031079A), Aug 7, 1990: Balwks FIREFLY8 (N9023Z), Napa, CA. Encountered severe wind gusts and downdraft. Ground impact injured passenger. Thunderstorm 30 miles north.

## STCs that may be installed (OpenAirDocs) (14)

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 SB00078AT](https://openairdocs.org/stc/SB00078AT): Installation of Thunder & Colt carriage assemblies under Firefly balloon envelopes. JR Aerosports LTD
- [STC SB01506AT](https://openairdocs.org/stc/SB01506AT): Attachment of Firefly hot air balloon envelopes. JR Aerosports LTD
- [STC SB02972AT](https://openairdocs.org/stc/SB02972AT): Installation of Aerostar International carriages, burners, and instruments under a Firefly 10 balloon envelope. JR Aerosports LTD
- [STC SL2828SO](https://openairdocs.org/stc/SL2828SO): Installation of the Galaxy 4860 basket on Firefly 8 envelope. 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 SB918GL](https://openairdocs.org/stc/SB918GL): Addition of a refueling adapter to the main fuel line. LTA Aviation Inc
- [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

## The same model under other registry codes

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

- [Firefly Balloons FIREFLY 8](https://openairdocs.org/model/firefly-balloons-firefly-8): 12 registered aircraft, registry code 1050117
- [Firefly Balloons 2010 FIREFLY 8](https://openairdocs.org/model/firefly-balloons-2010-firefly-8): 11 registered aircraft, registry code 105011A

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