Also included in the estimate are $8,500 in damages to the field where the craft landed. Emergency vehicles rushed onto the field, and a police officer sprinted through it trying to catch up with the balloon. In another letter sent to Lane, the FAA said it conducted its own civil investigation and determined the Heenes launched an unauthorized aircraft and are subject to an $11,000 fine. Lane said that's a separate matter that he is studying. Officials rerouted planes around the balloon's flight path and briefly forced some planes to switch to a different runway for takeoff from Denver International Airport.Messages left Monday for the FAA and district attorney's office were not immediately returned. Richard Heene pleaded guilty last month to a felony count of falsely influencing the sheriff, while Mayumi Heene pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of knowingly filing a false report with emergency services. Under terms of the plea agreements, Richard Heene faces up to 90 days in jail, probation and a fine. Mayumi Heene could get 60 days, likely to be served in a work-release program, and probation. At Wednesday's sentencing, Richard Heene is "going to beg that the judge not send his wife to jail," Lane said. />
Investigators: Balloon boy parents acted alone
FORT COLLINS (AP) - Colorado couple Richard and Mayumi Heene acted alone when they fabricated a story about their son floating off in a runaway balloon to gain publicity, sheriff's officials said Monday.
