DENVER -- The Federal Aviation Administration is close to wrapping up its investigation of the parents who reported that their son floated away aboard a helium balloon.

FAA spokesman Allen Kenitzer said Wednesday that fieldwork in the investigation of Richard and Mayumi Heene has been completed. He expects results to be released in about two weeks.

Authorities said the Heenes falsely reported that their 6-year-old son had flown away on Oct. 15 to drum up attention for a possible reality show. Both have pleaded guilty to criminal charges in the case.

The federal regulations that could have been violated are outlined in the FAA's Title 14, part 101 code that regulates moored balloons, kites, amateur rockets and unmanned free balloons.

There is a specific rule in the regulations that requires "the operator to immediately notify the nearest air traffic control facility and estimate the flight path." It is part of the same rule that requires an automatic rapid deflate device on the craft if it gets loose, as this one did.

It is not necessary to have a pilot's license to fly an unmanned balloon, but the FAA still regulates them.

The FAA investigation is a civil one and possible penalties range from a letter of reprimand to a fine.

The Heenes' balloon briefly forced some air traffic controllers to switch somes planes to a different runway for takeoff from Denver International Airport as the balloon drifted northeast of the airport.