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)

[Lady Jag]

It was under cumulus clouds at that time, hit different current, stopped and changed directions

[SE Mom]

About 10 minutes ago- Police officer and detective have just entered the home...per MSNBC reporter in front of family house..

[IYAS9YAS]

6000 ft.

AGL or MSL?

[mentor2k]

I'll never ever quote anything from Wikipedia again. Not after this Rush Limbaugh stunt. We learned that ANYONE can add their two cents to the Wiki pages. So take Wiki for what it is.

[crusty old prospector]

I should have listened harder when that professor from Pakistan was trying to teach me physics back in college.

[don-o]

The just interviewed a 55 year old neighbor man with a pony tail...hehehe....

Whatsa matter wit him? Everyone knows you're 'posed to cut off your ponytail at 54 (like I did)

[VRWCTexan]

Also 1997 - lawn chair - validated by snopes

http://www.snopes.com/travel/airline/walters.asp

[AliVeritas]

You went further than I thought; I was of the mind they may have wanted publicity.

God forgive me if the kid did fall out and I thought that.

It just seemed strange not to have anyone talking to the parents (maybe just my coverage), freaked out or not.

[abner]

Oh, that’s not right!

My husband wrote a song last night about Farmville: It goes something like this- Farmville, no water problems, always enough sun and no bugs! La, La, La!

[spectre]

Palladin...Mr. Spectre asked me the very same thing only suggested the brother might be the guilty one.

I don't think this...but who knows these days? Got to explore every possibility.

sw

[Arkansas Tider]

They pull air up under the bird and then push the air down away from the bird. I have had countless hours in all the military birds and everything must be tied down to the bird or your body. If something small falls out ie... canteen, pistol it can bring the bird down by getting sucked into the turbine or hitting a rotor.

[the OlLine Rebel]

No.

You’re talking about something high in the sky, from which distance a smallish object would look very small (if visible at all).

Plus you’re talking MILES of ground covered, and lots of “open” space. People just won’t notice unless they happen to be looking, and it happens near them!

[Osage Orange]

Oh brother!

Do you work for the National Enquirer?????

Geesh!

[GoldStandard]

This was a publicity stunt by the family.

[SE Mom]

Police are reporting the kid was never on board and their searching the neighborhood....

Link? Where does that info come from?

[rwfromkansas]

Exactly. While I hate the show’s name, the premise isn’t crazy...families learn from their different ways.

[hattend]

Only problem, little bro is standing there talking to authorities

[theDentist]

Who filled it with Helium in the first place? I mean, hot air balloon or helium balloon, someone had to decide to start filling ‘er up for some reason.

[TornadoAlley3]

Police officer and detective have just entered the home...per MSNBC

for the first time today? Or have police been searching the neighborhood before they caused Shep's makeup to run.

[pillut48]

Video of Heene boys 'rocking' out
WARNING: Bad language in title, and kids curse in the video