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)

[dragnet2]

These guys are media hounds...But likely harmless...Their Dad being an amateur scientist is a kick. I like that part.

There are worse things to be I guess, like a couch potato that lives for ball games on TaaaVaaa.

[Biggirl]

Heard found in an attic, the 6-year-old.

[yield 2 the right]

Hope so ;>)

[nutmeg]

Saucer Boy is safe! WOO HOO!!!

Now he'll be making the rounds on all the morning shows, Oprah, etc. LOL

[Zeppo]

Drudge is labeling it a ‘hoax’, but the link that he provided does not say that...

[OBXWanderer]

It’s going to be interesting to hear the full story on this. It cost a lot of money chasing that empty balloon around.

found something kinda interesting with all this going on...One of the local(Fort Collins) websites said Henne residence on Fossil Ridge Road. went to Google maps, searched that location...a break in the street view on Fossil Ridge....probably in front of Falcon's garage.

[mware]

Neil often talks about his kids. I think he has two or three little ones. Two little boys for sure.

At the end of the show he mentioned that his kids are high spirited but not quite that high spirtied. He also said they get it honestly cause he was also high spirited, but his dad kept him in check, as he keeps his children in check.

[ican'tbelieveit]

You know, we can always look 20/20 in hindsight at a situation and say: all of this commotion for nothing? But, at the time, you go with the best information you have.

And for the people accusing the parents of a hoax, the sheriff stated the parents were obviously, visibly, distraught.

[Jewbacca]

I am very happy.

I now think every person involved in the search should get one healthy swat on little Falcon’s rear-end.

[FTJM]

Cavuto called it.

[shadeaud]

Must have really been a slow news day when the coverage from all these networks follow a balloon around that is owned by a group of ‘’storm trackers( hmmmmm where da muny cum for tat job?) who didn't have the sense to watch there kids properly enough. Why was there so much empathy expressed toward these parents. Why aren't the kids taken away from these people, they are really in a dangerous enviorment.
Sure, the kid may have been in the balloon, but to have wall to wall coverage ??? I guess now that the litterman incident has passed, we need to focus on another minor news story. God forbid the news should cover some of our servicemen/women in harms ways or show some of fallen hero's returning( odd that it stopped after big ears was elected)

[AFPhys]

The parents may kill ALL three brothers today, but just think of the laughs they are going to get twenty years from now.

[paulycy]

[BuckeyeTexan]

Coffee shop? Eric Holder was IN the balloon.

;-p

[Carley]

How long before the family is visited by Child Protective Services.

[JoSixChip]

"Just got an automated call from the Larimer county Sheriff that search and rescue is in the area looking for a 6 year old boy. I’m in very south east Fort Collins area and there are helicopters flying in the area. They must be moving their search area."

I just got another automated call from the sheriff, the boy has been found, no other details. But from reading this thread I see he was found alive, thank god!

[Virginia Ridgerunner]

Thank God! Now give the little tike a spanking that he will never forget!

[Uri’el-2012]

And for the people accusing the parents of a hoax, the sheriff stated the parents were obviously, visibly, distraught.

They were described by folks on "wife swap" as "nut cases"

[Mr. Jazzy]

Bush’s fault that the boy was hiding.

Obama found him! Time for another Nobel Peace prize.

[dragnet2]

Hearing it’s being confirmed the brothers made statements that, “He’s in the balloon”...LOL!