SDR 99ZZZX3176

Service difficulty report · Valve Line · Balwks FIREFLY9

Difficulty date
July 1, 1999
Submitted
March 26, 2000
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N2570E
Make and model
Balwks FIREFLY9
Aircraft serial
F9060
Part
Valve Line
Condition
Failed
Location
Envelope
Stage of operation
LD
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

IN A HOT AIR BALLOON ENVELOPE EQUIPPED WITH A PARACHUTE, TOP DEFLATION SYSTEM INCLUDING A 3:1 PULLEY ASSIST, THE UPPER SECTION OF THE VALVE LINE (BRAIDED KEVLAR CORE COVERED WITH BRAIDED POLYESTER OUTER COVERING) SEPARATED IN A CLEAN CUT BREAK FIVE FEET BELOW THE ATTTACH POINT TO THE PARACHUTE LINES, AND FELL OUT OF THE ENVELOPE. APPROXIMATE TIME ON ENVELOPE IS 400 HOURS, AGE IS UNDER 5 YEARS. MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE, 275 DEGREES.