US Air Force Pilot Reports Shocking Close Encounter with UFO – Leaked Air Traffic Control Audio
Mysterious UFO Encounter Caught in Leaked Audio
In a stunning and baffling revelation, newly leaked air traffic control (ATC) audio suggests that a US Air Force pilot had a close encounter with an unidentified flying object (UFO) while conducting a classified military operation. The incident, which took place over California on September 17, 2024, is now making headlines after being leaked to NewsNation.
According to reports, the pilot—flying a Beechcraft 350 C—was cruising at an altitude of 20,000 feet when he suddenly reported nearly colliding with a “football-sized” cylindrical object. The sighting, which occurred at 2:30 PM on a clear afternoon, is now fueling speculation about unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs) and their potential implications for aviation safety and national security.
Why This Incident is Important
This isn’t just another UFO sighting—it’s an official military encounter happening in a controlled airspace with advanced surveillance technology onboard. The leaked audio suggests the object moved at extraordinary speeds, evading detection while operating in an area where no other aircraft were reported. If confirmed, this event could add to the growing body of evidence that something unexplained is happening in our skies.
Pilot’s Startling Report: “Something Passed Under My Wing”
The unnamed Air Force pilot, identified as “Troy 21,” immediately contacted air traffic control to report the mysterious object. His urgency and confusion are clear in the leaked audio, where he states:
“This is going to sound weird, but I just had something pass underneath my wing. Maybe a football-sized object right under my wing.”
This statement alone is alarming, as pilots are trained to identify known aerial objects, including drones, weather balloons, and other aircraft. The fact that a highly experienced pilot was unable to recognize the object raises serious questions about its nature.
What the Pilot Saw
- A dark gray, cylindrical object
- Roughly the size of a football
- Passed about 10 feet beneath the right wing
- Appeared to be moving at high speeds
In the animated recreation of the event (see Twitter post), the object zooms past the aircraft, barely missing it. This near-collision poses significant safety concerns, especially in controlled airspace, where air traffic is strictly monitored.
Was It a Drone? Pilot and Experts Weigh In
The air traffic controller, trying to make sense of the report, asked the pilot whether the object could have been a drone. However, the pilot’s response suggests uncertainty:
“Uh, I have no idea. I’ve got my sensor operator looking for it on the camera right now.”
This raises an important question: If the high-tech surveillance systems onboard the Air Force jet couldn’t immediately identify the object, what exactly was it?
Why Experts Are Skeptical About the Drone Theory
UFO researcher and former FBI special agent Ben Hansen, who analyzed the audio on the Banfield Show, highlights why the object was unlikely to be a drone:
- Controlled Airspace Violation – No other aircraft or drones were reported in the area.
- Advanced Surveillance Equipment Failed to Identify It – The Air Force jet was equipped with a highly sophisticated radar array used to track drug traffickers. If it was a drone, the system should have detected it immediately.
- Speed & Movement – The object moved too fast and maneuvered in a way that defies normal drone capabilities.
Hansen emphasized the seriousness of the incident:
“This isn’t just some blurry photo in the night sky—this is broad daylight, highly trained personnel, and military-grade tracking technology involved.”
Tracking the Object: 60 Miles in Minutes?
One of the most bizarre and scientifically puzzling aspects of this case is how fast the object moved after the initial sighting.
Within just two minutes, the pilot tracked the object moving 60 miles away. If true, this suggests an incredible speed—potentially Mach 2 (twice the speed of sound).
🚨 This is absolutely incredible.. A football sized UAP passes right underneath a passenger planes wing. It was caught by pilots, video, and sensors. @NewsNation #ufotwitter #ufoX #uaptwitter #UAP pic.twitter.com/bdVfAOlQmd
— UAP Reporting Center (@UAPReportingCnt) February 20, 2025
What This Means
- Mach 2 = 1,500 mph (2,414 km/h)
- Only military fighter jets or classified aerospace technology reach these speeds
- Most drones can’t even come close to this velocity
Ben Hansen explains:
“If an object moved 60 miles in just a couple of minutes, we’re looking at speeds of around Mach 2. That’s faster than nearly any commercial aircraft and raises serious questions about what technology we’re dealing with here.”
Even the fastest commercial aircraft, such as the Concorde (Mach 2.04), required massive jet engines and advanced aerodynamics to achieve those speeds. If a football-sized, unidentified object can achieve the same velocity, what kind of technology are we witnessing?
What Does This Mean for National Security?
This incident isn’t just an aviation anomaly—it presents real concerns for national security.
Key Questions Raised
- What was the object, and who (or what) was controlling it?
- How did it move so fast without any visible propulsion?
- Why was it flying in restricted airspace without authorization?
A Pattern of UAP Encounters
This isn’t an isolated event. In recent years, the Pentagon has declassified several reports on UFO encounters involving military pilots. These objects often:
- Appear in controlled airspaces
- Move at unexplainable speeds
- Evade radar detection
With the creation of the Pentagon’s All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), the US government has acknowledged that these incidents warrant serious investigation.
Social Media Explodes Over the UFO Sighting
As soon as the leaked air traffic control audio surfaced, social media lit up with reactions, fueling debates among UFO researchers, skeptics, and aviation experts. Within hours, hashtags like #UFOX, #UAPTwitter, #UFOTwitter, and #AlienTech began trending on X (formerly Twitter).
Top Social Media Reactions
🛸 UAP Reporting Center – @UAPReportingCnt
🚨 “This is absolutely incredible… A football-sized UAP passes right underneath a military plane’s wing. It was caught by pilots, video, and sensors! This could be one of the most compelling sightings in recent history.” 🔗 Read the thread
✈️ Aviation Insider – @FlightRadar24
“An Air Force jet flying a secret mission nearly collides with an unknown object. Drones? Secret tech? Or something else? The pilot’s reaction says it all. What do you think?” 🔗 See more
👀 Jeremy Corbell (UFO Filmmaker) – @JeremyCorbell
“We now have leaked ATC audio confirming a close-call encounter between a USAF aircraft and a UAP. Military-grade radar failed to classify it. The big question—WHO is operating these objects?” 🔗 Listen to the audio
🔥 Joe Rogan – @JoeRogan
“Another insane military UFO encounter—this time caught on leaked ATC audio. If this isn’t proof that something’s up, what is?!” 🔗 Watch discussion
What People Are Saying
🔹 “I don’t care what anyone says—this is NOT a drone. Too fast, too advanced.” – @UFOHunterX
🔹 “Controlled airspace, 20,000 feet, pilot couldn’t ID it… Something BIG is going on here.” – @AeroExpert
🔹 “I bet it’s classified tech we aren’t supposed to know about… or is it? 👀” – @TechExplained
The social media frenzy around this event reflects a growing curiosity about UAPs, and whether military encounters like these are evidence of unknown technology. Could this be a top-secret drone, an experimental aircraft, or something entirely unexplained?
Final Thoughts: A Growing Mystery in the Skies
Whether this was an unknown drone, classified military tech, or something entirely unexplained, one thing is clear—the conversation around UAPs is no longer a fringe topic.
With increasing government acknowledgment and military encounters, the mystery of UFOs is only deepening.
👽 Do you think this was an actual UFO, or is there another explanation? Let us know in the comments below!
Featured Image Credit: Getty Images/Anton Petrus
