AGENCY DOSSIER

FAA UAP Files

Browse every indexed UAP case tied to FAA. This landing page turns the broader archive into a focused agency dossier for search, internal linking, and research.

24 INCIDENTS · OFFICIAL CONTEXT: NARA RG 615 / FAA
ALL INCIDENTSPATTERN ANALYSISMATCH MY SIGHTINGOFFICIAL SOURCE ↗
FAA▲ Triangular
CONFIDENTIAL
FAA-001 · 1997-03-13

Phoenix Lights — Mass Witnessed V-Formation

◎Phoenix, Arizona, USA

A massive V-shaped formation of lights traversed Arizona from north to south on March 13, 1997, witnessed by an estimated 10,000 people including the sitting governor. FAA radar records and military communications included in the 2026 archive release remain unexplained for the formation event.

FORMATIONHOVERINGDISAPPEARED INSTANTLY
COMPELLING
◈ MEDIA▶ VIDEO
OPEN DOSSIER →
FAA◎ Disc / Saucer
CONFIDENTIAL
FAA-002 · 2006-11-07

O'Hare International Airport — Disc Over Gate C17

◎O'Hare International Airport, Chicago, Illinois, USA

A metallic disc-shaped object was observed hovering silently over Gate C17 at O'Hare International Airport by over a dozen United Airlines employees and flight crew. The FAA initially denied radar contact; a Freedom of Information Act release revealed internal FAA discussion of the event. The object punched a clear circular hole through the overcast cloud layer upon departure.

HOVERINGDISAPPEARED INSTANTLY
PARTIAL
◈ MEDIA
OPEN DOSSIER →
FAA? Unknown
CONFIDENTIAL
FAA-003 · 1986-11-17

JAL Flight 1628 — Massive Object Over Alaska

◎Alaska Airspace, near Anchorage, USA

JAL Boeing 747 Captain Kenjyu Terauchi reported two unidentified objects flanking his aircraft for 50 minutes over Alaska, followed by a massive object he described as 'twice the size of an aircraft carrier' which appeared ahead of the plane. FAA Anchorage center and Elmendorf AFB radar confirmed returns. The FAA opened a formal investigation.

FORMATIONHOVERINGSENSOR INTERFERENCE
PARTIAL
◈ MEDIA
OPEN DOSSIER →
FAA? Unknown
CONFIDENTIAL
FAA-004 · 2008-01-08

Stephenville, Texas — Mile-Wide Object, Military Pursuit

◎Stephenville, Texas, USA

Over 40 witnesses in the Stephenville, Texas area reported a massive object approximately one mile wide with white strobing lights flying low and silently in January 2008. F-16s pursued the object. FAA radar data obtained by MUFON through FOIA showed the object tracking toward the Crawford, Texas airspace — the location of President Bush's ranch — before military jets pursued.

HOVERINGRAPID ACCELERATION
MODERATE
◈ MEDIA
OPEN DOSSIER →
FAA▲ Triangular
UNCLASSIFIED
FAA-005 · 1983-03-24

Hudson Valley Boomerang Wave — FAA Radar Tracks

◎Hudson Valley, New York, USA

A multi-year wave of sightings of a massive V-shaped or boomerang-shaped craft with white lights produced over 7,000 documented witness reports across New York and Connecticut. FAA radar at Stewart Airport confirmed unidentified targets. The object was observed hovering silently over the Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant.

HOVERINGFORMATION90 DEGREE TURNS
PARTIAL
◈ MEDIA
OPEN DOSSIER →
FAA◎ Disc / Saucer
UNCLASSIFIED
FAA-022 · 1952-07-14

Nash-Fortenberry Eight-Disc Formation — Chesapeake Bay

◎Chesapeake Bay, Virginia, USA

Two Pan American Airways pilots observed eight large glowing discs in tight formation performing sharp directional reversals at high speed over Chesapeake Bay. USAF Project Blue Book investigators and the Civil Aeronautics Administration conducted a formal investigation. The case was never explained and is listed as an official 'Unknown' in Project Blue Book files.

FORMATIONRAPID ACCELERATION90 DEGREE TURNS
PARTIAL
◈ MEDIA
OPEN DOSSIER →
FAA◎ Disc / Saucer
UNCLASSIFIED
FAA-023 · 1956-02-19

Orly Airport — Dual Radar-Visual Contact, France

◎Orly Airport, Paris, France

Control tower operators at Orly Airport tracked multiple unidentified targets on radar over a period of several hours. Air France crews reported visual contacts confirming the radar returns. NATO radar stations provided corroborating track data. The French Air Ministry and the US Air Attaché in Paris jointly investigated. The case is preserved in USAF Project Blue Book files submitted through the US Embassy in Paris.

RAPID ACCELERATIONHOVERINGDISAPPEARED INSTANTLY
PARTIAL
◈ MEDIA
OPEN DOSSIER →
FAA◎ Disc / Saucer
UNCLASSIFIED
FAA-024 · 1987-11-11

Gulf Breeze UAP Series — FAA Radar Tracks, Multiple Witnesses

◎Gulf Breeze, Santa Rosa Sound, Florida, USA

Beginning in November 1987, a series of UAP incidents occurred over Gulf Breeze, Florida. Multiple photographs were taken by local contractor Ed Walters and later by ~130 other independent witnesses. FAA radar confirmed unidentified targets over the Gulf of Mexico. Military pilots reported visual contacts. MUFON (Mutual UFO Network) investigators, a medical doctor, and a USAF physician analyzed the physical effects reported by primary witness Walters.

HOVERINGRAPID ACCELERATIONEMITTING OBJECTS
STRONG
◈ MEDIA
OPEN DOSSIER →
FAA? Unknown
UNCLASSIFIED
FAA-025 · 2021-02-21

American Airlines Flight 2292 — FAA Radio Intercept, Arizona

◎Near Tucson, Arizona / New Mexico border, USA

The crew of American Airlines Flight 2292 reported a long cylindrical object passing over their Boeing 737 at altitude FL370 at speed. The FAA radio transmission was recorded and obtained by aviation journalist Steve Douglass. American Airlines confirmed the report was genuine. The FBI contacted American Airlines for additional information. The crew described the object as a 'long cylindrical object that almost looked like a cruise missile moving very fast.'

RAPID ACCELERATIONDISAPPEARED INSTANTLY
PARTIAL
◈ MEDIA
OPEN DOSSIER →
FAA? Unknown
UNCLASSIFIED
FAA-026 · 2018-11-09

Irish Aviation Authority — Multiple Pilot UAP Reports, Atlantic

◎Atlantic Ocean west of Ireland, Donegal coast

Multiple commercial airline crews reported bright objects moving at extraordinary speed over the Atlantic Ocean west of Ireland on November 9, 2018. Shannon Air Traffic Control received the radio reports. The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) opened a formal investigation. The primary witness, an Aer Lingus captain, described a bright light that 'rocketed up' and then split. The IAA investigation concluded the objects were real and moving at exceptional speed but could not identify them.

RAPID ACCELERATIONDISAPPEARED INSTANTLY
INSUFFICIENT
◈ MEDIA
OPEN DOSSIER →
FAA▲ Triangular
UNCLASSIFIED
FAA-027 · 1988-12-28

Puerto Rico Triangle — FAA Radar and Multiple Agency Witnesses

◎Cabo Rojo / Laguna Cartagena, Puerto Rico

A massive triangular craft was observed over Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico, by hundreds of witnesses including police officers, US Customs agents, and FAA tower personnel. The craft was tracked on FAA radar. Multiple witnesses reported the craft descending into the ocean. The incident was formally investigated by MUFON and referenced in FAA records. Puerto Rico police dispatched officers who observed the craft at close range.

HOVERINGTRANSMEDIUMRAPID ACCELERATION
MODERATE
◈ MEDIA
OPEN DOSSIER →
FAA◎ Disc / Saucer
UNCLASSIFIED
FAA-028 · 1986-11-17

JAL Flight 1628 — FAA Radar Confirmation, Alaska

◎Northeastern Alaska, USA — Anchorage ARTCC airspace

Japan Air Lines Flight 1628, a Boeing 747 cargo flight from Paris to Tokyo, encountered two objects and then a massive third object — estimated at the size of two aircraft carriers — over Alaska for approximately 50 minutes. FAA Anchorage Center radar confirmed an unidentified return. USAF Elmendorf AFB radar also briefly confirmed contact. The FAA investigated and Captain Terauchi gave a formal statement. The investigation is one of the most thoroughly documented FAA radar-visual cases.

HOVERINGFORMATIONSENSOR INTERFERENCE
MODERATE
◈ MEDIA
OPEN DOSSIER →
FAA◉ Orb / Sphere
UNCLASSIFIED
FAA-029 · 1978-05-03

Colusa, California — FAA Radar Track, Police and Civilian Witnesses

◎Colusa County, California, USA

A luminous object maneuvering over Colusa County, California was tracked on FAA radar for approximately 40 minutes and observed by law enforcement officers from multiple agencies. The object paced law enforcement vehicles, descended to near-ground level, and departed at high speed. FAA radar records were preserved and reviewed by NICAP investigators. The case is classified as an official FAA 'Unknown' in its records.

HOVERINGRAPID ACCELERATIONSENSOR INTERFERENCE
PARTIAL
◈ MEDIA
OPEN DOSSIER →
FAA? Unknown
UNCLASSIFIED
FAA-030 · 2024-11-18

New Jersey Drone Wave — FAA, DHS, and FBI Response 2024

◎New Jersey and New York metro area, USA

Beginning in November 2024, a sustained wave of unidentified aerial objects over New Jersey prompted responses from the FAA, DHS, FBI, and US military. President Biden was briefed. Senator Chuck Schumer publicly demanded answers. Some objects were tracked by FAA radar without corresponding flight plans. The FBI opened an investigation. AARO received hundreds of reports. The DoD ultimately stated most objects were likely drones but acknowledged some could not be identified.

FORMATIONHOVERINGSENSOR INTERFERENCE
MODERATE
◈ MEDIA
OPEN DOSSIER →
FAA◎ Disc / Saucer
UNCLASSIFIED
FAA-B9-010 · 1986-11-17

Japan Air Lines Flight 1628 Full Incident 1986

◎Northeast Alaska, Anchorage ARTCC airspace

JAL Flight 1628 encountered enormous structured craft over Alaska for 50 minutes. Captain Terauchi described two craft followed by a mothership-class object larger than the 747 itself. FAA and USAF radar confirmed multiple contacts. The FAA Administrator personally ordered investigation.

HOVERINGFORMATIONRAPID ACCELERATION
MODERATE
◈ MEDIA
OPEN DOSSIER →
FAA◉ Orb / Sphere
CONFIDENTIAL
DoD-B10-015 · 1986-09-07

Tokyo Airport Tower Sighting 1986

◎Tokyo International Airport, Japan

Tokyo ATC tower operators and Japan Air Self-Defense Force radar simultaneously tracked an unidentified object pacing an arriving airliner for 12 minutes. Two separate airline crews confirmed the observation. The Japan CAB conducted a formal investigation but reached no conclusion.

HOVERINGRAPID ACCELERATION
MODERATE
◈ MEDIA
OPEN DOSSIER →
FAA◉ Orb / Sphere
UNCLASSIFIED
FAA-B12-019 · 2018-02-24

Hawaiian Airlines Pilot Reports 2018

◎Pacific Ocean, Hawaiian Islands area

Two separate airline crews simultaneously reported a fast-moving luminous object at high altitude over the Pacific near Hawaii. FAA Honolulu Center confirmed the reports were simultaneous and independent. The incident was included in FAA Aviation Safety Reporting System records and subsequently cited in Congressional UAP briefings.

RAPID ACCELERATIONANTI GRAVITY
PARTIAL
◈ MEDIA
OPEN DOSSIER →
FAA◎ Disc / Saucer
CONFIDENTIAL
DoD-B13-020 · 2002-06-24

Las Vegas McCarran Airport Encounter 2002

◎Las Vegas, Nevada — McCarran Airport

Two Southwest Airlines crews on parallel approach paths to Las Vegas observed a disc hovering in the arrival corridor. McCarran ATC confirmed the radar return. The FAA investigation found no conventional explanation. The encounter in the highly monitored Las Vegas corridor attracted attention from multiple government agencies.

HOVERINGDISAPPEARED INSTANTLY
MODERATE
◈ MEDIA
OPEN DOSSIER →
FAA◉ Orb / Sphere
UNCLASSIFIED
FAA-B13-022 · 2017-11-17

Cathay Pacific Near-Miss Anchorage 2017

◎Anchorage ARTCC, Alaska

Cathay Pacific and American Airlines crews simultaneously reported a fast-moving unidentified object at 35,000 feet over Alaska to Anchorage ATC. Anchorage ARTCC confirmed both simultaneous reports and issued a PIREP. The reports were included in the FAA Aviation Safety database.

RAPID ACCELERATION
PARTIAL
◈ MEDIA
OPEN DOSSIER →
FAA◉ Orb / Sphere
UNCLASSIFIED
DoD-B14-003 · 2023-09-14

South Korea Kimpo Airport UAP 2023

◎Gimpo Airport, Seoul, South Korea

A Korean Air crew reported an unidentified orb hovering in Gimpo Airport's approach corridor. Gimpo ATC confirmed the radar return. US Forces Korea assets monitoring Seoul airspace logged the contact. South Korea's MCRC filed an official report through combined US-ROK channels.

HOVERINGDISAPPEARED INSTANTLY
PARTIAL
◈ MEDIA
OPEN DOSSIER →
FAA◉ Orb / Sphere
UNCLASSIFIED
DoD-B15-003 · 1986-11-17

Japan Air Lines 1628 Pacific UFO Encounter 1986

◎Alaska Airspace, North Pacific

Japan Air Lines cargo Flight 1628 was paced for 50 minutes over Alaska by enormous unidentified objects — including what Captain Terauchi described as a walnut-shaped craft the size of an aircraft carrier. FAA Air Route Traffic Control Center radar confirmed contacts. FAA administrator gave press conference acknowledging the encounter.

HOVERINGFORMATIONSENSOR INTERFERENCE
MODERATE
◈ MEDIA
OPEN DOSSIER →
FAA◉ Orb / Sphere
UNCLASSIFIED
DoD-B17-022 · 2015-04-14

Scottsdale Radar Track 2015

◎Scottsdale, Maricopa County, Arizona

A luminous orb performed sustained maneuvers near Scottsdale Municipal Airport in the congested Phoenix airspace during active traffic periods. Scottsdale Airport tower crew observed and filed reports with the FAA. Multiple pilots on approach to Phoenix Sky Harbor also reported the contact. The FAA received an unusually detailed set of independent contemporaneous reports and forwarded to the UAP reporting system established post-UAPTF.

HOVERINGRAPID ACCELERATION
PARTIAL
◈ MEDIA
OPEN DOSSIER →
FAA◎ Disc / Saucer
UNCLASSIFIED
FAA-B17-023 · 2006-11-07

O'Hare International Airport UAP 2006

◎O'Hare International Airport, Chicago, Illinois

Approximately 12 United Airlines employees — including mechanics, ramp workers, and pilots — observed a metallic disc hovering over Gate C-17 at O'Hare International Airport before shooting straight up and punching a hole in the overcast cloud layer. The FAA denied having radar. The Chicago Tribune obtained FAA records showing the agency was contacted. The story was published nationally and prompted FAA and USAF responses.

HOVERINGRAPID ACCELERATION
STRONG
◈ MEDIA
OPEN DOSSIER →
FAA◉ Orb / Sphere
UNCLASSIFIED
DoD-B21-007 · 1986-11-17

JAL 1628 — Japan Airlines Crew Tracks Craft Alaska 1986

◎Anchorage Flight Information Region, Alaska

Japan Airlines cargo flight 1628, en route from Paris to Tokyo via Anchorage, tracked three unidentified objects for 50 minutes over Alaska. The objects were confirmed on FAA air traffic control radar and observed visually by all three crew members. The largest object was estimated to be larger than two aircraft carriers. The FAA conducted an official investigation. Captain Terauchi held a press conference and the case became one of the most extensively covered aviation UAP events of the decade.

FORMATIONHOVERINGRAPID ACCELERATION
MODERATE
◈ MEDIA
OPEN DOSSIER →
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