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Head Balloons AX8-105

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Aircraft model · Balloon · Balloon · registry codes 4280300, 4280237

Manufacturer (registry)
HEAD BALLOONS · HEAD BALLOONS INC
Model
AX8-105
Registry codes
4280300, 4280237
Registered
61 aircraft
Type
Balloon
Engines
None
Seats
4
Weight class
Up to 12,499 lb
Certification
Type certificated

Model codes come from the FAA registry’s reference file. ADs are matched to them by model name and maker. The FAA lists this model under more than one registry code, usually for different spellings of the maker. This page covers them all.

On this page

Aircraft by year built · 67

1987Registered 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.

2008In 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 ('4280300', '4280237'))
  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 ('4280300', '4280237'))
  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 · 61

N105VTApogee Associates LLC · Portage, MIBuilt 2006 · S/N 355N120KSStepanek Edward B · Cleveland, NCS/N 388N2007SBassett William C · Sultan, WAS/N 436
See all 61 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 ('4280300', '4280237')
  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 · 2

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 1 case with NTSB’s older coding, defined in its coding manual.

NTSB GAA15CA075Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportHead Balloons AX8 105 - NO Series · Intercourse, PAThe pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain/location for takeoff in gusting wind conditions, resulting in a collision with a building, and substantial damage to the hot air balloon.Apr 12, 2015 · N3099F · Substantial damageNTSB MIA93LA159Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHead Balloons AX8-105 · Jacksonville, FLThe improper procedures by the pilot-in-command.Jul 20, 1993 · N45124 · 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 ('4280300', '4280237')
  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 · 4

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

Incident 20231007016429IHead Balloons AX8-105 · Rio Rancho, NMOn October 07, 2023, at 0959 MST, Head balloon AX8-105, landed in gusty winds and the envelope draped over a barbed wire fence in Rio Rancho, NM, while participating in an air show. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and a VFR flight plan…Oct 7, 2023 · N5004R · Minor damageAccident 20150412006269AHead Balloons AX8-105 · Gordonville, PAAccident occurred at 3370 harvest drive, Gordonville, PA 17534 (harvest drive family inn and restaurant). Pictures and videos from spectators on the ground and passengers in the balloon show the launch site was approximately 50 feet from a wooden fence.…Apr 12, 2015 · N3099F · Substantial damageIncident 20090907025489IHead Balloo AX8-105 · Stowe, VTPilot stated on approach to landing a "rogue wind" pushed him from behind. The pilot felt a breeze in his face indicating the balloon was accelerating to the landing point, where he tried to burn his way out of the situation but hit hard. The balloon became…Sep 7, 2009 · N105VT · No damageIncident 19910921062249IThundr AX8105 · Pendleton, SCPilot stated he had false lift during takeoff. Elected to land. Struck powerline with balloon envelope.Sep 21, 1991 · N7005X · Minor damage
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 ('4280300', '4280237')
  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

No reports name this modelGeneral aviation reporting is voluntary.

STCs that may be installed · 12

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 SB10564SCInstallation of Night Position LightsHighland Balloon Repair, CRS NHMD682XSTC SB09657RCInstallation of Aircraft Position LightsAlbuquerque Balloon Center, Inc.STC SB04407ATInstallation of the DBI-III OmegaBalloonacy, Ltd. LLCSTC SB04010CHReplace the Head Balloons Burner system with the Balony Kubicek Burner Model IGNIS 2 Units, S/N 1125 and 1126Steve SinnenSTC SB04011CHReplace the Head Balloons Burner system with the Balony Kubicek Burner Model IGNIS 2 Units, S/N 1125 and 1126.Steve SinnenSTC SB00463ATInstallation of Cameran basket and burner systemsHead Balloons IncSTC SL2263SOInstallation of Aerostar (Raven) Models CW, W, and RW basket and burner systems.Head Balloons IncSTC SB02317ATInstallation of Sky Balloons (TC B01CE) baskets (sizes: 1.29m X 1.07M, 1.55M X 1.19M, and 1.80M X 1.29M) and burners (BR1 double burner and BR2 Mistral Double Burner) under Head Balloons' Model AX7-77, AX7-77b, AX8-88, AX8-88b, AX8-105 and AX9-118 envelopes.Head Balloons IncSTC SL2407SOAttachment of Head Balloons hot air balloon envelopes with Adams Balloon Loft Model A50/A50S basket, burner, instruments, and fuel system components.Head Balloons IncSTC SB01867ATAttachment of Head Balloons hot air balloon envelopes with Lindstrand Balloon basket, burner, instruments, and fuel system components.Head Balloons Inc.STC SB01048ATInstallation of Thunder and Colt40X40, 40X48, 40X54, and 40X60 basket assemblies.Head Balloons Inc.STC SL1748SOInstallation of Balloon Works sizes3.9, 4.0, 4.5, 4.9, and 5.0 baskets.Head Balloons Inc
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 ('4280300', '4280237')
    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.

Thunder & Colt THUNDER AX8-1053 registered aircraftRegistry code 8970126Thunder & Colt THUNDER AX8-105 S12 registered aircraftRegistry code 8970124Thunder Balloons AX8-1050 registered aircraftRegistry code 8970112
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 = 'AX8105' AND m.code NOT IN ('4280300', '4280237')
  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.