US Pilot Reports Encounter with Unidentified Object Over Rhode Island
A pilot flying a private plane reported an unusual encounter in US airspace after observing an unidentified object hovering thousands of feet above Rhode Island, adjacent to the wing of his aircraft.
The pilot, operating a small Piper PA_32RT_300T aircraft designed for five passengers, described the object as a small silver cylinder that appeared to hover in place before moving briefly alongside the plane and then disappearing from view.
A video captured the moment as the pilot communicated with air traffic control, stating, "It seems to be stationary," while controllers suggested the object could be a drone or a balloon. The pilot dismissed these theories, calling the sighting "breathtaking."
Other pilots in the vicinity expressed similar sentiments over the radio, with one stating, "I want to believe him," while others humorously greeted air traffic controllers with comments like, "Good luck with the aliens."
* Expert Opinions
A range of experts provided various explanations for the mysterious object:
• Mick West, a British-American science author, speculated that the object might be a weather balloon.
• Anthony Dorman, founder of Electronic Caregiver, noted that balloons often carry cylindrical payloads and can reflect sunlight, making them appear unusual in the sky. He suggested they could have been launched from neighboring states like Massachusetts.
He added that hobbyists frequently test such devices at low altitudes, which could explain the object's unexpected movement.
* Similar Incident Involving a US Fighter Pilot
This incident follows a recent revelation by Major Ryan Budenheimer, a retired US Air Force pilot, who described a strange experience during a flight with a squadron of F-15 and F-16 fighter jets over southern Wyoming.
Buddenheimer recounted a near-miss encounter with a rectangular unidentified flying object, describing it as "the strangest experience" of his career. The object reportedly appeared suddenly, nearly colliding with his aircraft, and was characterized as a perfect rectangle with glowing edges, measuring 30 to 50 feet in length, flying at approximately 460 miles per hour without leaving any vapor trail or radar signature, challenging all known laws of aviation.
* Truth or Extraterrestrial?
As videos and witness accounts continue to circulate, the mystery surrounding this unidentified object remains unresolved, with speculation ranging from military testing to weather balloons and the possibility of extraterrestrial life, generating ongoing interest and questions in the fields of aviation and space exploration.
