It has been reported that a Colorado farmer in whose fields a nationally infamous silver helium balloon landed in October may not end up recovering payment for damage to his crops.

The Coloradoan has reported that Tyler Abbott, 31, of Adams County, drove two hours to the court in Fort Collins Wednesday to answer a subpoena in the hoax case defended by Richard and Mayumi Heene in which they had said their 6-year-old son, Falcon, was aboard a balloon that floated away.

According to the newspaper, Abbott said that he was not permitted to give his information over the phone. He never ended up testifying, however, as the Heenes settled to pay $36,016.53 to recompense the costs of the search for their son, which included the use of two National Guard helicopters.

Prosecutors sought more than $48,000 in restitution but agreed to withdraw their request for investigative costs and to the settlement based only on the actual search expenses, the Coloradoan reported.

Abbott was told by the lawyers compensation for the damage to his crops would be worked out later when his wheat comes up in July, but he's fairly certain his insurance won't cover the damage.

He said as he started on the two-hour drive home, "This has ruined my whole day, pretty much." (With Inputs from Agencies)