Posted on 10/15/2009 11:45:55 AM PDT by Arec Barrwin
Rescuers are tracking and chasing a "homemade flying saucer" that is in flight with a 6-year-old, by himself, on board.
The incident started this morning in Fort Collins when the boy got into the balloon-like device, which was built by an adult, and it came loose from a tether, according to the Larimer County Sheriff's Office.
The contraption could rise as high as 10,000 feet, the sheriff's office said.
The home-made flying saucer was last seen in flight over Weld County.
The sheriff's office is working the Federal Aviation Administration to determine how to best get the boy down.
The homemade airplane was tethered in Fort Collins when the boy got onboard and it floated away. (Lisa Ecklund via 9News)
The six-year-old boy was by himself on board the hommade aircraft. (Courtesy Lisa Ecklund, via 9News)
The craft could fly as high as 10,000 feet, according to the Weld County Sheriff's Office. (Lisa Ecklund via 9News)
It’s Helium, so as the temps drop, so will the buoyancy
I agree. Lord protect this child by encamping Your angels round about him.
This is for weather tracking- not intended for a person..
WHAT did she just say? The bottom isn’t very well attached to the balloon itself?
Did I just hear that???
It’s not high now. They just gave a good perspective, and I’d guess 1000’ agl.
Can’t they grab it with a hook, like the ones used by planes that refuel other planes in flight?
did the woman on the phone just say the bottom is not well attached??
Oh man... this is sounding worse and worse
Prayers for all those here who are praying!
I believe they said earlier it is multiple cells, because they were discussing if they could make holes in some.
This thing is losing a lot of helium on one side..its actually flapping over.
Now, they are worried that this kid is sucking in helium.
How would a parachutist help? What would they do?
The two things would be moving at completely different speeds.
He was just as awful when that flight was hijacked in Mexico a few weeks ago.
Craft approaching Adams county...
Ground level about 5300 feet.
Speed: 40 to 60 mph.
AMEN!
Wow, I’ve seen that show once time in my life, and it happened to be that episode. Seems like a great family, this rather stunning incident notwithstanding.
I’m not sure she’s right on anything, but it appears it’s not a balloon designed to carry people, it’s more of a decoration.
They keep saying 25MPH but it looks so fast on the TV. I haven’t seen the helicopters. The way it’s deflating I wonder if it could turn over? That would be bad.
I have to use caption on TV so miss ‘things’ when I’m posting, lol.
The temperature will decrease approximately 3.5 degrees for every 1000 ft the balloon rises.
Just from ...20ft dia*5ft... the ballon could carry over 150lbs.
My overweight nephew is 80 lbs and he is 6, a skinny kid might weight 60-70
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