Aircraft model · Balloon · Balloon · registry code 8070802

Manufacturer (registry)
SEMCO BALLOON
Model
CHALLENGER
Registry code
8070802
Registered
3 aircraft
Type
Balloon
Engines
None
Seats
1
Weight class
Up to 12,499 lb
Cruise speed
60 mph
Certification
Type certificated
Data sheet
TCDSA13SO
Holder
Eagle Balloons Corp.

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 · 26

1969Registered nowDeregistered2026
Aircraft by the year they were built: 26 aircraft
19691
19701
19711
19722
19735
19749
19754
19761
19771
19811

Airworthiness directives that may apply · 3

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

1975In forceSuperseded2026
ADs by the year they took effect: 3 ADs
19751
19801
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 ('8070802'))
  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 ('8070802'))
  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 · 3

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 ('8070802')
  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.

First occurrence, 1982 to 2007

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

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 ('8070802')
  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 · 9

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

Accident 19941029036859ASemco Challenger · Miami, FLWhile tethered above field suspension cables failed. 48 days after annual. Cables failed due corrosion overstress.Oct 29, 1994 · N2048J · Substantial damageIncident 19850429046559ISemco Challenger · Wilmington, VTOn landing,gondola hit trees with resultant tear in envelope. Minor injuries to occupants.Apr 29, 1985 · N35996 · Minor damageAccident 19830909053089ASemco Challenger · Tucson, AZPartially inflated balloon lifted off on thermal. Pilot grabbed deflate handle. Carried aloft. Fell from 40 feet.Sep 9, 1983 · N8554Incident 19820903058369ISemco Challenger · Spokane, WADust storm struck balloon. Occupants were ejected during hard emergency landing. Empty balloon drifted into trees.Sep 3, 1982 · N9GB · Minor damageIncident 19790916023449ISemco Challenger · Mundelein, ILDeflation panel failed to open for landing balloon bounced off a house and subsequently landed in a field.Sep 16, 1979 · N35996 · Minor damageAccident 19780624033719ASemco Challenger · Mchenry, ILJun 24, 1978 · N35996 · Substantial damageAccident 19760124000849ASemco Challenger · Death Valley, CAGondola dragged across rock,balloon caught fire.Jan 24, 1976 · N5217 · DestroyedAccident 19750919033589ASemco Challenger · Baton Rouge, LAPropane hot air balloon hit wires ldg in fld. Gondola caught fire.Sep 19, 1975 · N3810 · Destroyed · 1 fatalAccident 19741012043329ASemco Challenger · Harvard, ILHot air balloon. Inadqt wx brief by balloon-meister. Hard ldg,plt & pax thrown out,cont into trees.Oct 12, 1974 · N14545 · Minor damage · 1 fatal
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 ('8070802')
  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 · 2

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 = 'CHALLENGER'
  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.

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 = 'CHALLENGER' AND m.code NOT IN ('8070802')
  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.