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)

[Carling]

Not a chance. He looks like he’s about 2k above land. That’s ~7300’ when adding Denver’s elevation.

[Rebelbase]

Yeah, it’s a real hoax on every cable news channel at the moment.

[balch3]

is that an optical illusion, or is that thing moving under its own power?

[stayathomemom]

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.

That's what I was thinking. Maybe a Coast Guard or Army Chopper.

How large a net could be stretched between a couple of helicopters and snag this thing? Would that work?

[spectre]

Only if it ends well, FRiend.

[Lady Jag]

He’d be having the ride of his life if it wasn’t spinning.

[SE Mom]

Are you watching this on TV? The owner of the balloon is the father of the little boy who seems to be mssing and he’s the one who called to report the balloon was aloft and the boy is missing..

I hope you’re right that it’s a hoax- but it seems legit at this point..

[pillut48]

I sure am praying that Falcon has worked with his dad enough that he knows how to fly this balloon, and when it finally lands SAFELY, he’ll come out all excited and wanting to go again!!!

[BGHater]

I’d be cold.

[ninergold3]

Cutting it open would cause it to descend to fast. The speed would increase exponentially as it descends due to loss of heat.

Correct me if I'm wrong. Also at the speed he's going, if a few holes are put in it, isn't there a possibility of the openings tearing and causing it to crash?

[TChris]

Latest:

Airtracker 7 located the craft at 12:35 p.m. at about 8,000 feet in Weld County. It appeared to be slightly tilted. The altitude of the balloon was fluctuating between 7,500 and 8,500 feet.

[hattend]

Yep...

[HairOfTheDog]

The downwash off a helicopter would be a real problem, even with a long cable.

[dragnet2]

News geeks are now saying the saucer is moving into the Denver metro area.

[Erik Latranyi]

If it gets dark whatever they are planning is going to get a lot harder.

It's noon in Denver.

[nina0113]

...he’ll come out all excited and wanting to go again!!!

Ha. He'll be grounded till he's fifty.

[Revolting cat!]

Headed into the plains of east Colorado....Towards Kansas

Kansas? Now, that would be a real tragedy!

[Erik Latranyi]

They are not even positive the boy is inside!

[Blue State Insurgent]

Get two helicopters and have them drag a large sticky blanket by long tethers and then catch that sucker.

[TChris]

It’s at around 8,000 ft. currently.