Aircraft model · Balloon · Balloon · registry code 1050111

Manufacturer (registry)
BALLOON WORKS
Model
FIREFLY 8B-15
Registry code
1050111
Registered
123 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 · 188

1991Registered nowDeregistered2026
Aircraft by the year they were built: 188 aircraft
19914
199221
199328
199410
199514
199630
199724
199815
199921
200017
20011
20021
20052

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 ('1050111'))
  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 ('1050111'))
  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 · 123

See all 123 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 ('1050111')
  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 · 10

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

NTSB WPR22LA368Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportFirefly Balloons Firefly 8B-15 · Las Cruces, NMThe pilot’s failure to maintain the proper descent rate during the balloon’s approach to landing, which resulted in a hard landing and serious passenger injury.Sep 4, 2022 · N7067F · No damageNTSB ERA17LA243Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBalloon Works Firefly 8B 15 · Murfreesboro, TNThe passenger's failure to let go of the balloon's gondola when the balloon began to ascend. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to maintain control of the balloon after landing, which resulted in an inadvertent takeoff.Jul 15, 2017 · N3282P · No damageNTSB GAA16LA172Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBalloon Works FIREFLY8B · Rock Hill, SCThe pilot’s inadequate compensation for wind, which resulted in the balloon landing hard and a passenger sustaining a serious injury.Mar 12, 2016 · N3180S · No damageNTSB CEN13CA278Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBalloon Works Firefly 8B-15 · Anthony, KSThe pilot’s failure to monitor the balloon's altitude, which resulted in the balloon impacting an airport rotating beacon tower.May 11, 2013 · N3171L · Substantial damageNTSB DFW05CA002Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBalloon Works Firefly 8B-15 · Piedmont, OKThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance with power lines while landing. Contributing factors were the reduced visibility, fog, and low cloud ceiling.Oct 9, 2004 · N2563W · DestroyedNTSB DEN01LA158Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBalloon Works Firefly 8B-15 · Colo. Springs, COthe passenger's failure to follow instructions given to brace for a high wind landing, and the pilot's failure to adequately monitor the passenger's actions. A contributing factor was the thermal lift.Sep 2, 2001 · N2575P · Minor damageNTSB FTW01LA154Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBalloon Works Firefly 8B-15 · Celina, TXthe unsuitable landing area selected by the pilot-in-command which resulted in a hard landing. A contributing factor was the uneven/rough terrain.Jun 23, 2001 · N72524 · No damageNTSB DEN99LA023Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBalloon Works Firefly 8B-15 · Albuquerque, NMThe passenger not following high wind landing procedures/directives which were given to her by the pilot. A factor was the unforecasted high wind condition.Oct 5, 1998 · N3290G · No damageNTSB NYC98LA085Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBalloon Works Firefly 8B-15 · Elk Garden, VAthe pilot's improper weather evaluation. The gusty wind condition was a related factor.Mar 27, 1998 · N31226 · Substantial damageNTSB FTW96LA212Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBalloon Works Firefly 8B-15 · Ft. Lupton, COthe pasenger's failure to follow the instructions given by the pilot during a briefing.May 14, 1996 · N2577G · 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 ('1050111')
  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.

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 ('1050111')
  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 = 'FIREFLY8B15'
  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 · 14

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 ('1050111')
    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 · 2

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 8B-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 = 'FIREFLY8B15' AND m.code NOT IN ('1050111')
  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.