Aircraft model · Balloon · Balloon · registry codes 4280102, 05637CC

Manufacturer (registry)
HEAD BALLOONS INC
Model
AX9-118 · AX9 118
Registry codes
4280102, 05637CC
Registered
25 aircraft
Type
Balloon
Engines
None
Seats
1
Weight class
Up to 12,499 lb
Certification
Type certificated
Data sheet
TCDSA29SO
Holder
Head Balloons Inc.

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 · 31

1987Registered nowDeregistered2026
Aircraft by the year they were built: 31 aircraft
19871
19901
19921
19931
19951
19971
20001
20011
20021
20032
20042
20062
20071
20082
20091
20121
20131
20144
20181
20191
20201
20211
20242

Airworthiness directives that may apply · 1

ADs whose products match this airframe model. Each AD’s applicability may narrow it by serial number, part number or configuration.

Airframe · Head Balloons AX9-118

AD 2013-03-10HardwareEffective Mar 19, 2013
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 ('4280102', '05637CC'))
  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 ('4280102', '05637CC'))
  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 · 25

See all 25 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 ('4280102', '05637CC')
  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 · 6

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

NTSB WPR19LA228Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportHead AX9-118 · Galt, CAA loss of control following an adverse wind encounter.Aug 9, 2019 · N2027S · Minor damageNTSB ERA15LA319Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHead AX9 118 · New Holland, PAThe pilot's failure to adequately secure the vent line, which resulted in the premature deflation of the balloon’s envelope and its subsequent contact with power lines. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's choice of an unsuitable landing area, which…Aug 16, 2015 · N40104 · Minor damageNTSB ERA10CA462Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportHead Balloons AX9 118 · Hanover, NHThe balloon's encounter with an updraft, resulting in an immediate landing and an intentional collision with a tree.Sep 1, 2010 · N2267U · Minor damageNTSB WPR10LA161Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHead Balloons AX9 118 · Phoenix, AZThe pilot’s improper preflight inspection of the balloon’s rapid deflation system, which resulted in its inhibited functionality during landing.Mar 16, 2010 · N3087D · Substantial damageNTSB CHI08CA227Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportHead Balloons AX9-118 · Cook, MNThe pilot's decision to land in a confined area. Contributing to the accident were the hidden power transmission lines and the confined landing site.Jul 31, 2008 · N3106K · DestroyedNTSB LAX94LA162Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHead Balloons AX9-118 · Sedona, AZthe failure of the pilot lights and burners to relight in flight once extinguished due to the installation of an incorrect gas pressure regulator.Mar 12, 1994 · N45289 · 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 ('4280102', '05637CC')
  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 · 6

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

Accident 20190810024649AHead Balloons AX9-118 · Galt, CAAugust 10, 2019, time was 0845, balloon festival at [privacy data omitted], Galt California. Public display and tethered balloon rides to the public. After multiple successful earlier tether rides, the three tethered balloons decided to end rides due to…Aug 10, 2019 · N2027S · Minor damageAccident 20150815013719AHead Balloons AX9-118 · New Holland, PAAfter balloon landing event, PIC failed to control envelope deflation. Deflating balloon envelope contacted electrical power lines adjacent to landing site. PIC and 2 passengers sustained electrical shock and burns that required hospitalization for more than…Aug 15, 2015 · N40104 · Minor damageAccident 20100901043419AHead Balloo AX9 118 · Hanover, NHPilot encountered an updraft during descent and feared he would hit high tension power lines at the FAR edge of his intended landing field. He elected to put down in a back yard in a residential area. One passenger suffered a fractured wrist and facial…Sep 1, 2010 · N2267U · Minor damageAccident 20100315029859AHead Balloo AX9 118 · Phoenix, AZPilot attempted a high wind landing. After touchdown, pilot lost footing and fell out of basket while pulling the red line. Pilot was dragged outside the basket for approx 100 yards before the balloon came to rest striking a metal gate. Pilot sustained…Mar 15, 2010 · N3087D · Substantial damageAccident 20080731843239AHead AX9118 · Cook, MN(-23) On July 31, 2008 at approximately 07:30 a.m., [privacy data omitted] (pilot) departed his home in a hot air balloon with himself and 2 passengers. His home is on center island on lake vermilion in northern Minnesota. The flight was over water in a nne…Jul 31, 2008 · N3106K · Substantial damageAccident 19940312005039AThundr AX9140S2 · Sedona, AZDuring descent burner flamed out. Unable relight until ground impact. Incorrect low pressure regulator per burner.Mar 12, 1994 · N45289 · Substantial 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 ('4280102', '05637CC')
  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 · 10

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 ('4280102', '05637CC')
    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.