Fort Collins boy in loose aircraft (6 yr old boy found hiding at home not in balloon)

Denver Post ^ | October 15, 2009 | Kieran Nicholson

[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)

[ninergold3]

How many times have a rescue like this been attempted? Never?? Nobody has ever trained for a situation like this so it’s going to be risky no matter what.

[Revolting cat!]

#35.

[mainepatsfan]

Dear god. This is awful.

[JRandomFreeper]

Purchase a clue. I'm at 7K feet right now. There's plenty of O2 and it's nice and warm. I can ride the 6 wheeler for a couple of hours and be at 10K feet, and I'll still be fine.

/johnny

[driftdiver]

poking holes in the balloon may be an option. Slow release of whatever its using for lift would do the trick.

[Lurkina.n.Learnin]

I wonder if they could shoot holes in it to release the gas slowly.

[Slings and Arrows]

Wow.

[GonzoGOP]

Original post said 10k, and it is cold that is the real problem. If it is at 2K then it is probably safer to just wait until it comes down due to normal gas seepage.

Note that the skydiver wouldn't have been in danger, but if he tipped it over when he made contact the kid might fall out. The Skydiver would have had a backup parachute. But again not an issue if they are only at 2k.

[ninergold3]

I keep praying that the little guy freaked out when the thing started coming loose and hid.

[driftdiver]

Can’t be heavy. Use a helicopter with a long cable. hook the thing to control where it goes. Cut it open to deflate and land it.

[Erik Latranyi]

(Maybe lob sandbags into his gondola and follow him down?)

No open gondola. This thing will not come down easy.

[GeronL]

Fox news said 25 mph and 6000 ft

[Sir Gawain]

Harpoon it.

[hattend]

Okay, one story says “hot air balloon” another says “helium” balloon. Which is it?

If hot air, it’ll be down soon. If helium, they better start shooting it full of holes or that kid is on his way to the stratosphere.

[D-fendr]

Anyone know if he has blankets or heat device? Any radio?

[dfwgator]

Reminds me of Payne Stewart’s doomed flight.

[Palladin]

I hope they have a plan that will work, and that the little guy doesn’t panic and try to get out.

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20091015/balloon_colo_091015/20091015?hub=World

[alancarp]

Please pardon my ignorance, but is this 6,000 ft altitude the height above the ground? If so, then I’d guess we’re talking about the oxygen altitude equivalent of ... what — maybe 10-11K given the area? That’s still breathable, but less so for a panicked little boy.

[dragnet2]

Put a few 1/4 inch holes in it.

[Red_Devil 232]

That is no hot air ballon!