# Semco Balloon CHALLENGER - Type: Aircraft model (FAA registry) - Registry code: 8070802 - Manufacturer (registry): SEMCO BALLOON - Model: CHALLENGER - Aircraft type: Balloon - Category: Balloon - Engines: None - Seats: 1 - Weight class: Up to 12,499 lb - Cruise speed: 60 mph - Certification: Type certificated - Data sheet: [TCDS A13SO](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/A13SO) (OpenAirDocs) - Holder: Eagle Balloons Corp. - Registered aircraft: 3 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/model/semco-balloon-challenger Model codes come from the FAA registry's reference file. ADs are matched to them by model name and maker. ## ADs that may apply (OpenAirDocs) Matched to this model by model name and maker. Each AD's applicability may narrow it by serial number, part number or equipment. - [AD 2013-03-10](https://openairdocs.org/ad/2013-03-10): Hardware · Aeronaut Instruction Research Skysailor 105, Skysailor 90, 110C and 439 more. Effective Mar 19, 2013 - [AD 80-14-09](https://openairdocs.org/ad/80-14-09): Gondola Fittings · Eagle Balloons Challenger, T and TC-4A. Effective Jul 7, 1980 - [AD 75-11-03](https://openairdocs.org/ad/75-11-03): Deflation System · Eagle Balloons Challenger, T and TC-4A. Effective May 19, 1975 ## Information bulletins (advisory) (1) - [SAIB CE-11-44](https://openairdocs.org/saib/CE-11-44): Fuel: Cylinder Strap Installation. Issued Jul 13, 2011 ## Registered aircraft (3) - [N35993](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N35993): [Wells Russell L](https://openairdocs.org/faa-owner/WELLS%20RUSSELL%20L), [Seville, OH](https://openairdocs.org/faa-place/OH/Seville), S/N SEM154 - [N68389](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N68389): [Callicrate Richard](https://openairdocs.org/faa-owner/CALLICRATE%20RICHARD), [Piedmont, CA](https://openairdocs.org/faa-place/CA/Piedmont), built 1972, S/N SEM-74 - [N88783](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N88783): [Mcclintic Fred](https://openairdocs.org/faa-owner/MCCLINTIC%20FRED), [Spring Mills, PA](https://openairdocs.org/faa-place/PA/Spring%20Mills), built 1973, S/N SEM106 ## NTSB investigations (6) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB MIA95LA013](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA95LA013), Oct 29, 1994: Semco Challenger (N2048J), Miami, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: Failure of the basket suspension cables due to corrosion and overstress separations. Contributing to the accident was an inadequate annual inspection of the basket suspension cables by an authorized… - [NTSB FTW78FPM21](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW78FPM21), Jun 29, 1978: Semco Chlngr (N14554), Tulsa, OK, no damage - [NTSB CHI78DEE55](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI78DEE55), Jun 24, 1978: Semco AX7 (N35996), Mchenry, IL, substantial damage - [NTSB CHI78DEP02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI78DEP02), Oct 16, 1977: Semco Chlngr (N14550), Mauston, WI, no damage - [NTSB FTW76AF022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW76AF022), Sep 19, 1975: Semco TC-4 (N3810), Baton Rouge, LA, destroyed, 1 fatal - [NTSB CHI75AC032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI75AC032), Oct 12, 1974: Semco AX-7 (N14545), Harvard, IL, minor damage, 1 fatal ## FAA accident and incident reports (9) From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [Accident 19941029036859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19941029036859A), Oct 29, 1994: Semco CHALLENGER (N2048J), Miami, FL, Substantial damage. While tethered above field suspension cables failed. 48 days after annual. Cables failed due corrosion overstress. - [Incident 19850429046559I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850429046559I), Apr 29, 1985: Semco CHALLENGER (N35996), Wilmington, VT, Minor damage. On landing,gondola hit trees with resultant tear in envelope. Minor injuries to occupants. - [Accident 19830909053089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830909053089A), Sep 9, 1983: Semco CHALLENGER (N8554), Tucson, AZ. Partially inflated balloon lifted off on thermal. Pilot grabbed deflate handle. Carried aloft. Fell from 40 feet. - [Incident 19820903058369I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820903058369I), Sep 3, 1982: Semco CHALLENGER (N9GB), Spokane, WA, Minor damage. Dust storm struck balloon. Occupants were ejected during hard emergency landing. Empty balloon drifted into trees. - [Incident 19790916023449I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790916023449I), Sep 16, 1979: Semco CHALLENGER (N35996), Mundelein, IL, Minor damage. Deflation panel failed to open for landing balloon bounced off a house and subsequently landed in a field. - [Accident 19780624033719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780624033719A), Jun 24, 1978: Semco CHALLENGER (N35996), Mchenry, IL, Substantial damage - [Accident 19760124000849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19760124000849A), Jan 24, 1976: Semco CHALLENGER (N5217), Death Valley, CA, Destroyed. Gondola dragged across rock,balloon caught fire. - [Accident 19750919033589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19750919033589A), Sep 19, 1975: Semco CHALLENGER (N3810), Baton Rouge, LA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Propane hot air balloon hit wires ldg in fld. Gondola caught fire. - [Accident 19741012043329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19741012043329A), Oct 12, 1974: Semco CHALLENGER (N14545), Harvard, IL, Minor damage, 1 fatal. Hot air balloon. Inadqt wx brief by balloon-meister. Hard ldg,plt & pax thrown out,cont into trees. ## Service difficulty reports (2) As reported by operators and repair stations, by the model named in the report. - [SDR 98ZZZX2350](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/98ZZZX2350), May 22, 1998: INSULATOR. SHORTED. POWER SUPPLY S/N'S 057R, 116R, 139R, 173R, 259R, AND 328R FOUND Q5 DAMAGED BY SHORT-CIRCUIT (S/N 173R). INSPECTION REVEALED MICA INSULATOR MIS-POSITIONED UNDER - [SDR 95ZZZX3630](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/95ZZZX3630), Jun 7, 1995: LOCK PIN. FAILED. OIL ANALYSIS, FINDING AN INCREASE IN METAL CONTAMINATION, INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE ACCESSORY DRIVE GEARBOX DRIVESHAFT LOCK ASSY POST SB ALF502L 72-0175, HAD D ## The same model under other registry codes Amateur-built copies and renamed makers get their own codes. - [Bralski Frederick A CHALLENGER](https://openairdocs.org/model/bralski-frederick-a-challenger): 1 registered aircraft, registry code 056057X - [Ruzek Barry CHALLENGER](https://openairdocs.org/model/ruzek-barry-challenger): 1 registered aircraft, registry code 05606RY - [Cox Dean CHALLENGER](https://openairdocs.org/model/cox-dean-challenger): 1 registered aircraft, registry code 05614CN - [Amodeo James F JR CHALLENGER](https://openairdocs.org/model/amodeo-james-f-jr-challenger): 1 registered aircraft, registry code 05616VO - [Reed Charles CHALLENGER](https://openairdocs.org/model/reed-charles-challenger): 1 registered aircraft, registry code 05624K2 - [Beasley Ronald R CHALLENGER](https://openairdocs.org/model/beasley-ronald-r-challenger): 1 registered aircraft, registry code 05626C6 - [Compton Bruce CHALLENGER](https://openairdocs.org/model/compton-bruce-challenger): 1 registered aircraft, registry code 05626M1 - [Bitzer CHALLENGER](https://openairdocs.org/model/bitzer-challenger): 1 registered aircraft, registry code 05628BR - [Grant Finley J CHALLENGER](https://openairdocs.org/model/grant-finley-j-challenger): 1 registered aircraft, registry code 05630WQ - [Robert M Opperman CHALLENGER](https://openairdocs.org/model/robert-m-opperman-challenger): 1 registered aircraft, registry code 05632S1 - [Smith Philip J CHALLENGER](https://openairdocs.org/model/smith-philip-j-challenger): 1 registered aircraft, registry code 05638IG - [James M Smith CHALLENGER](https://openairdocs.org/model/james-m-smith-challenger): 1 registered aircraft, registry code 05641YU --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.