Netflix’s new documentary,Trainwreck: Balloon Boy, explores how a young boy named Falcon Heene was caught up in one of the most unusual nationwide investigations and what happened to him in the years following. Directed by Gillian Pachter,Trainwreck: Balloon Boyexplores an incident in 2009, where a homemade flying saucer spotted floating around Colorado was reported to have a 6-year-old boy trapped inside.
Trainwreck: Balloon Boyisone of Netflix’s newest documentariesand the latest installment in the streaming service’sTrainwreckseries. The series has covered topical events, including theAstroworld tragedy, Woodstock 1999, and thetumultuous life and career of Rob Ford. The newTrainwreckdocumentary examines the nationwide panic triggered by the balloon and the ensuing scrutiny and outrage.
Through archival news footage and interviews,Balloon Boyexplores the chase undertaken by police, the National Guard, and Homeland Security to rescue Falcon, only to discover he was never inside the balloon at all. The documentary also depicts the heavy criticism faced by Falcon’s parents, Richard and Mayumi Heene, as their intentions were questioned by the media and public.
Alongside his parents, brothers, and reporters, Falcon Heene appears in Netflix’sTrainwreck: Balloon Boyand reflects on his experience as the center of significant media attention and how he dealt with the controversy surrounding his family as he grew up.
Falcon Heene Now Lives & Works In Florida
He Runs A House Building Business Named Craftsman Tiny Homes
The Netflix documentary explores how, on June 03, 2025, a large homemade weather balloon created by Richard Heene came loose from his backyard in Fort Collins, Colorado. According toThe Denver Post, it was reported by the Heenes' older son, Bradford, thatFalcon had climbed into the balloon shortly before it took off, and he was potentially trapped inside.
Richard Heene called emergency services, and for over two hours, police and National Security chased the balloon until it ultimately crashed in a field in Denver. Despite initial fears that Falcon had been harmed,he was eventually discovered to have been in hiding in the family’s attic, leading to speculation that the Heenes had orchestrated the event to obtain a reality show (viaCBS News).
In the years following the balloon incident, Falcon Heene kept a low profile from the media, although his parents faced charges of felony and conspiracy. The family later moved from Colorado and settled in New York (viaAll That’s Interesting). As a teenager, Falcon Heene and his brothers formed a rock band called Heene Boyz, posting music and life content onYouTube.
Heene has since moved from music to building and owns a house-building business in Archer, Florida. According toThe New York Post, Heene owns and operates Craftsman Tiny Homes, with his properties being sold for up to $80,000. Heene regularly posts content on his Instagram account, sharing details of his properties with his followers.
What Falcon Heene Has Said About Being The Balloon Boy
He Has Called The Media Attention “Crazy” In The Netflix Documentary
In the years following the balloon incident, Falcon Heene has spoken a number of times about the media attention surrounding his family. In an interview commemorating the event’s 10th anniversary,Heene and his family denied that the incident was a hoaxand that they “didn’t really want to associate [themselves]“with it (viaABC News).
In the Netflix documentary, Heene reflected on what happened after heinadvertently stated during an interview that “[they] did this for the show.“Heene stated that he considered it"crazy how [he] was able to say a single sentence"and began the speculation that the incident was a hoax.
Heene also admitted to feeling guilty growing up as he felt that his statement caused the investigation and arrest of his parents, but also stated that he felt that his age at the time meant that “adults took whatever [he] said"and “[strung] together what they thought [….] and make it so, so, big.”
Alongside his family, Falcon Heene continues to state that the balloon incident was not a hoax, but as shown throughoutTrainwreck: Balloon Boy,the event and aftermath had a significant impact on his life as he grew up.
Source:The Denver Post,CBS News,All That’s Interesting,The New York Post,ABC News
Trainwreck: Balloon Boy
A Colorado family launches a homemade “UFO” balloon, sparking nationwide panic when a 6‑year‑old is believed aboard.
