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Balloon Works FIREFLY 8B

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Aircraft model · Balloon · Balloon · registry code 1050110

Manufacturer (registry)
BALLOON WORKS
Model
FIREFLY 8B
Registry code
1050110
Registered
37 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.

On this page

Aircraft by year built · 167

1910Registered nowDeregistered2026

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
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 ('1050110'))
  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 ('1050110'))
  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 · 37

N3658EHigh Soaring Inc · Naples, FLS/N F8B-068N3741XSilva Richard W · Groton, CTBuilt 1983 · S/N F8B-001N614BDGraham Keith P · Alta Loma, CAS/N F8B-496
See all 37 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 ('1050110')
  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 · 12

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

Defining event, 2008 on

Of 1 case NTSB coded with a defining event. All defining events

In the probable cause, 2008 on

Findings NTSB made part of the probable cause. A case can have several. All findings

First occurrence, 1982 to 2007

Of 11 cases with NTSB’s older coding, defined in its coding manual.

NTSB GAA15CA157Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportBalloon Works FIREFLY8 - 24 · Provo, UT**This report was modified on 4/21/2016. Please see the public docket for this accident for more information.** The failure of the Balony balloon pilot to see and avoid the Balloon Works balloon during an ascent, which resulted in the basket of the Balony…Jul 2, 2015 · N7148P · 2 aircraft · Substantial damageNTSB LAX97LA118Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBalloon Works AX-8B · Parker, AZthe pilot's inadequate in-flight planning, which resulted in an excessive descent and subsequent hard landing, due to a drop in fuel pressure along with shifting winds at low altitude.Mar 1, 1997 · N9033H · No damageNTSB SEA96LA122Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBalloon Works Firefly 8B · Wilsonville, ORfailure of the pilot to maintain clearance from the static wire, which became shorted to a transmission wire and subsequently caused a fire to erupt on the balloon's envelope. Factors relating to the accident were: the obstructions (power line wires), and the…Jun 16, 1996 · N71233 · Substantial damageNTSB BFO93LA118Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBalloon Works Firefly 8B · Flemington, NJThe passenger's inadvertent activation of the burner after the landing, causing the terrain to burn and subsequently igniting the Balloon envelope.Jul 11, 1993 · N7113E · Substantial damageNTSB NYC90LA126Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBarnes Firefly 8B · Cazenovia, NYThe passengers failure to comply with the pilots instructions after a hard landing was made.Jun 10, 1990 · N3702M · No damageNTSB NYC89LA212Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBalloon Works Firefly · Hatboro, PAImproper in-flight planning/decision by the pilot which resulted in his failure to maintain clearance obstructions. A related factor was: the low level of propane (fuel), which resulted in low burner pressure.Aug 31, 1989 · N7406F · Minor damageNTSB DEN89LA185Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBalloon Works Firefly 8B · Louisville, COThe pilot's failure to adequately evaluate the weather prior to takeoff. High winds developed during the Balloon flight which resulted in a rough landing.Aug 6, 1989 · N74191 · No damageNTSB ATL89FA158Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBalloon Works Firefly 8B · Garner, NCImproper planning/decision by the pilot, and his delay in initiating a climb as the Balloon converged on the tv tower.Jun 11, 1989 · N37141 · Substantial damageNTSB DEN88LA152Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBalloon Works Firefly 8B · Fort Collins, COThis Balloon flt was part of a rally. The flt departed from a stadium, climbed to 500' and then made a controlled descent and landing. After the next takeoff and climb to about 125' when the burner was turned off the plt noticed that fuel was not flowing to…Jul 4, 1988 · N7420S · Substantial damageNTSB ATL87LA200Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBalloon Works Firefly 8B · Greenville, SCBalloon dtpted launch site about six miles sw of landing airport for a key grab during a Balloon ralley. Wind was about seven KTS according to PIC. Approaching field to land basket was dragged through tree tops to slow Balloon. Power line hidden by the trees…Jul 3, 1987 · N7420U · Minor damageNTSB FTW86LRG15Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportBalloon Works 8B · Round Rock, TXThe Balloon was damaged during landing in a wind of 15 KTS gusting to 40 KTS. The plt said that the surface wind increased during the flt. The Balloon was blown about 900 yds while dragging the basket across a grass field during the landing.Mar 1, 1986 · N74176 · Substantial damageNTSB ANC85LA140Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBalloon Works Firefly 8 · Anchorage, AKWhile the plt was approaching a field to land, the wind shifted & gusted, blowing the Balloon toward a light standard. The envelope grazed the standard, ripping the material near the top of the Balloon. The Balloon then landed in the field. The wind was…Aug 1, 1985 · N7404X · Substantial 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 ('1050110')
  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 · 23

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

Accident 20150702009051ABalloon Works Firefly 8B · Provo, UTMid air of two balloons, Balloon envelope sustained a tear and collapsed causing rapid decent and emergency landing. Balloon sustained damage due to pilot requirement to burn longer to minimize decent and landing. Balloon basket landed safely on the ground,…Jul 2, 2015 · N7148P · DestroyedIncident 20051008023769IBalwks FIREFLY8B · Albuquerque, NM(-23) On October 8, 2005, at 0900 MDT, a firefly F8B hot air balloon, registration number N7104D, collided with vegetation while climbing out from an aborted landing. The aircraft was being operated privately as a participant in the Albuquerque international…Oct 8, 2005 · N7104D · Minor damageIncident 20040425007779IBalwks FIREFLY8B · Fresno, CA(-23) On approach to landing in a field the pilot saw power lines in his approach path too late to climb above them. The pilot pulled the parachute top vent to deflate the balloon, then landed the balloon prior to the wind carrying the envelope into the power…Apr 25, 2004 · N7126Q · Substantial damage
See all 23 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 ('1050110')
  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

SDR 95ZZZX6155Regulator · intermittentFUEL FLOW TO THE BURNER PILOT LIGHTS FAILED IN THE OFF POSITION DURING FLIGHT. INITIAL RE-LIGHT ATTEMPTS WERE UNSUCCESSFUL. FIRE 2 SYSTEM USED TO SUBSTITUTE FOR THE PILOT LIGHTS UNTIL LANDING WAS COMPLETED. AFTER LANDING, PILOT LIGHT OPERATION WAS NORMAL. Aug 16, 1995 · N9024R · Balwks FIREFLY8B · Balloon Reports
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 = 'FIREFLY8B'
  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 · 20

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. LLCSTC SA3005SOAttachment of 'Football Helmet' appendages.JR Aerosports LTD
See all 20 STCs
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 ('1050110')
    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.

Firefly Balloons FIREFLY 8B4 registered aircraftRegistry code 05614JJ
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 = 'FIREFLY8B' AND m.code NOT IN ('1050110')
  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.