US military pilot has close encounter with UFO: 'This is going to sound weird' | Banfield

Summary

A mysterious sighting occurred at 20,000 feet between Los Angeles and San Jose, California, where pilots and air traffic controllers discussed spotting an unidentified dark object in broad daylight. The pilots, experienced in sensitive missions, noticed the object moving dangerously close to their aircraft. Initial thoughts leaned towards it being a drone, but its speed and altitude suggested otherwise. The object’s movement, detected by the aircraft's advanced radar, placed it at Mach 2 speed, ruling out typical drone explanations. This event highlights a significant and puzzling encounter, prompting further investigation into unexplained aerial phenomena.

Takeaways

• 😀 A UFO sighting occurred on September 17, 2024, at 20,000 feet between Los Angeles and San Jose, California, during daylight hours.
• 👨‍✈️ Experienced Homeland Security pilots aboard a Beechcraft 350 aircraft were the primary witnesses to the sighting.
• 🛸 The pilots described the object as a dark, cool, and unusual shape that passed extremely close to their aircraft.
• 🛑 The sighting raised concerns about the safety of controlled airspace, as there was no prior notification of any nearby air traffic.
• 📡 The pilots used advanced radar equipment to track the object, which was located 16 miles away initially.
• 🚁 The possibility of the object being a drone was considered, though drones typically do not operate at altitudes of 20,000 feet.
• ✈️ The pilots were on a mission related to drug interdiction, using highly sensitive radar equipment to monitor for illicit activity.
• 🔍 The object was initially tracked and appeared to travel at speeds around Mach 2, eliminating drone or conventional aircraft explanations.
• 🎙️ The audio of the conversation between the pilots and air traffic controllers was secured by former FBI agent Ben Hansen and made public.
• 🛸 The object was not in the military operations area, suggesting it was not a military drone, yet the exact nature of the object remains unidentified.

Q & A

What was the primary event described in the script?

The script describes a UFO sighting by pilots and air traffic controllers on a flight between Los Angeles and San Jose, California, in September. The pilots reported observing a dark object at 20,000 feet.

What type of aircraft was involved in the sighting?

The aircraft involved was a Beechcraft 350, which had been converted to include complex radar equipment for tracking drug traffickers.

What was the nature of the mission the pilots were on?

The pilots were likely on a covert mission related to drug interdiction, operating in controlled airspace.

What was the initial speculation about the identity of the object?

The initial speculation was that the object could be a drone, but the pilots and controllers were unsure of its nature.

What kind of radar did the aircraft use to track the object?

The aircraft was equipped with a sensitive and complex radar system, likely an airborne radar system designed to track objects in the airspace.

How did the pilots and air traffic controllers describe the object?

The object was described as dark and cool, passing underneath the aircraft at a very close distance in broad daylight.

What was the altitude at which the object was sighted?

The object was sighted at 20,000 feet, which is a significant altitude for any potential drone activity.

What was the significance of the object's speed, and why was it questioned?

The speed of the object, estimated to be Mach 2, raised doubts about it being a drone. A drone traveling at such speed is highly unusual, making it a potential indicator that the object was not a conventional drone.

Did the pilots or controllers think it was a drone?

The possibility of the object being a drone was considered, but the high speed and other factors made it unlikely. The pilots and controllers were unsure of what the object was.

Why is it unlikely that the object was a commercial drone?

It is unlikely that the object was a commercial drone because it would have had to be operating in restricted airspace without proper authorization, and no drones are known to operate at such high altitudes without special capabilities.