The Colorado family behind the infamous ‘Balloon Boy’ incident is finally revealing what really happened during the 2009 saga that captivated millions of Americans.
The Heene family, of Fort Collins, shares their side of the story in the upcoming Netflix documentary Trainwreck: Balloon Boy, premiering July 15.
The documentary revisits the bizarre October day when six-year-old Falcon Heene was believed to be trapped inside a homemade UFO built by his father, Richard Heene.
On October 15, 2009, the silver helium balloon – shaped like a flying saucer – drifted up to 7,000 feet across the Colorado sky for two tense hours.
Falcon’s parents, Richard and Mayumi, claimed he had snuck into the balloon, prompting a frantic search that grounded planes and involved the National Guard – but Falcon was eventually found hiding in the attic of the family’s home.
Public concern quickly turned to outrage when it was revealed Falcon had never been inside the homemade weather balloon.
Many accused the Heenes of staging the event for publicity, possibly to land a reality show. At the time, the family had pitched a science-based TV series, which had been rejected.
The Heenes, however, continue to insist it was not a hoax – even as mom Mayumi Heene later told investigators her husband believed a runaway balloon with a child aboard could help secure a TV deal.
The Heene family (pictured) shares their side of the story in the upcoming Netflix documentary Trainwreck: Balloon Boy, premiering July 15. The film revisits the bizarre October day when 6-year-old Falcon Heene (center) was believed to be trapped inside a homemade UFO built by his father
On October 15, 2009, the silver helium balloon – shaped like a flying saucer – drifted up to 7,000 feet across the Colorado sky. Pictured: A law enforcement officer running toward the home-built helium filled balloon as it landed near the Denver, Colorado, airport
Footage in the Netflix documentary shows a young Falcon (pictured) playing in the infamous balloon
Directed by Gillian Pachter, the soon-to-be released documentary features new interviews with the entire Heene family, including Richard, who built the balloon, and Falcon, who was thought to be inside.
In the trailer, Richard calls the incident ‘the biggest nightmare ever,’ while Falcon, now 22, reflects: ‘I think it was crazy how I was six years old and I was able to affect the whole state of the country.’
The drama began on the chilly October day with Richard’s 911 call, claiming the balloon had taken off with Falcon inside.
‘All I wanted to do was make a really fantastic project for the kids,’ he says in the trailer.
The search drew in local authorities, the National Guard, and even Homeland Security, while news outlets nationwide covered the unfolding story.
But, when the balloon finally landed 60 miles from the Heenes’ home – without Falcon aboard – skepticism surged.
Critics pointed to the family’s prior appearance on ABC’s Wife Swap as further evidence they were chasing fame.
‘Everybody starts criticizing us,’ Richard says in the trailer. ‘I’m like, ‘You’ve got to be s******* me!’
Falcon’s parents, Richard and Mayumi, claimed he had snuck into the balloon, prompting a frantic search that grounded planes and involved the National Guard. Pictured: Falcon plays with the homemade balloon in the Heene family’s Fort Collins backyard
The drama began on the chilly October day with Richard’s 911 call, claiming the balloon (pictured) had taken off with Falcon inside
Nearly 16 years later, Falcon Heene (pictured), now 22, revealed how he relished in the chaos during the ordeal
The Heene parents defended their actions in the trailer claiming they just wanted to have fun with their kids
The media frenzy continued for weeks.
Richard and Mayumi both faced charges in the incident and eventually pleaded guilty – Richard to attempting to influence a public servant, and Mayumi to false reporting. Richard served 90 days in jail, and the family was ordered to pay $42,000 in restitution.
They were also barred from profiting off the incident for four years.
Despite this, the couple has always maintained it wasn’t a hoax, claiming they pleaded guilty only to avoid Mayumi’s possible deportation.
However, several years later in 2020, Colorado Governor Jared Polis pardoned them.
‘In the case of Richard and Mayumi Heene, the “Balloon Boy” parents, we are all ready to move past the spectacle from a decade ago that wasted the precious time and resources of law enforcement officials and the general public,’ Polis said in a statement.
‘Richard and Mayumi have paid the price in the eyes of the public, served their sentences, and it’s time for all of us to move on.’
Now, 16 years later, the Heenes are telling their full story in the Netflix documentary, produced by RAW and BBH. The trailer teases emotional moments and conflicting viewpoints.
His parents pleaded guilty to their crimes in the hoax, and Richard (left) served 90 days in jail, and the family was ordered to pay $42,000 in restitution for the emergency rescue efforts
Falcon Heene (pictured) was just six years old when he captivated the nation in the ‘balloon boy’ scandal in 2009
‘You don’t get it!’ Mayumi cries out, while one interviewee says, ‘Richard and Mayumi love those kids.’
Another counters, ‘Richard did this purposely,’ and someone else adds, ‘If you think you know him, you probably don’t.’
The Heene family has since moved to Florida, where Falcon, now grown up, builds tiny homes for a living.
He runs Craftsman Tiny Homes, a family business in Archer, Florida, offering models ranging from $25,000 to $79,000. He recently shared a video documenting the construction of a tiny home from start to finish.
Trainwreck: Balloon Boy premieres Tuesday, July 15, on Netflix.
