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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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FAA Starts Own Balloon Boy Probe

Flight delays at Denver airport during caper could result in fines

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(Newser) – The Federal Aviation Administration is the latest agency to start its own investigation of last week’s Colorado balloon circus, with authorities looking into delays at Denver International Airport during the craft’s flight. And while local law enforcement wants criminal charges against the Heene family, any FAA violations would most likely draw fines or civil penalties, a rep tells the Coloradoan.

Ryo Heene, the 9-year-old brother of Falcon Heene, plays in the backyard of his parents home in Fort Collins, Colo., on Friday.
Ryo Heene, the 9-year-old brother of Falcon Heene, plays in the backyard of his parents home in Fort Collins, Colo., on Friday.   (AP Photo)
Six-year-old Falcon Heene is shown with his father, Richard, outside the family's home in Fort Collins, Colo.
Six-year-old Falcon Heene is shown with his father, Richard, outside the family's home in Fort Collins, Colo.   (AP Photo)
In this image from video, a hot-air balloon is seen over Colorado.
In this image from video, a hot-air balloon is seen over Colorado.   (KMGH-TV)
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3 comments
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Circusdog
Oct 20, 09 8:57 PM CDT
Shouldn't we being calling him garage boy? Or Hoaxzilla? He was never in the balloon...right?? Reply
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IN RESPONSE:
DarkFrancis
Oct 21, 09 1:04 AM CDT
The alliteration was too catchy to leave alone. While everyone knows young Falcon as Balloon Boy, think of the myriad names we can come up with for Dad, alliterative or not...Daddy Douchebag, The Exploiter, Professor MediaSlut, The Ego...or just plain old fuck knuckle.
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atomick
Oct 21, 09 10:56 AM CDT
How about the Bullship? Reply
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(Newser) - The parents of “balloon boy” Falcon Heene pleaded guilty today to charges related to the hoax that sent police and rescue personnel on a wild-goose chase. Richard Heene pleaded to a felony, Mayumi Heene—a Japanese citizen who risked deportation if she had a felony on her record—to... More »

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(Newser) - Richard and Mayumi Heene will plead guilty tomorrow for lying to police and rescuers and sending them on a wild balloon chase for their “missing” son Falcon, who they knew was safe at home. Mayumi will cop to false reporting, a misdemeanor, while Richard will plead guilty to attempting... More »

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