Service difficulty report · Valve · Balwks FIREFLY9

Difficulty date
August 2, 2004
Submitted
September 28, 2004
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N2189K
Make and model
Balwks FIREFLY9
Aircraft serial
F9B2004
Part
Valve
Part number
F9B15
Condition
Destroyed
Location
Balloon
Stage of operation
NR
How discovered
9
Nature of condition
O
Precautionary procedure
O

As reported to the FAA. Reports are unverified, and codes are left as the FAA publishes them.

What was found

DURING FLIGHT, 3 OF 4 VALVE WINDOWS FAILED BY SEPARATING AT SEAMS. UPON SEPARATION, REMAINING WINDOW MATERIAL MELTED AWAY, THUS CREATING 3 LARGE HOLES IN THE TOP OF THE BALLOON, WHICH RAISED INTERNAL TEMP, AND CAUS HIGH (EXTREME) FUEL CONSUMPTION AND RENDERED THE AIRCRAFT UNCONTROLABLE AND UNAIRWORTHY. ALL ABOVE WITHIN 42 MINUTES OF FLIGHT.