A mysterious airborne object spotted over New York City in the US has started a debate on social media, as many people are speculating that it could be yet another instance of an encounter with an unidentified flying object (UFO).
The incident took place last month over LaGuardia Airport when Michelle Reyes, a passenger aboard a commercial flight on March 25, observed an unusual object through the window. Describing it as a “flying cylinder”, Reyes recorded a video of the unidentified object which triggered curiosity among viewers.
Soon after spotting the object, Reyes informed authorities about her experience and emailed the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). “The first thing I did was email the FAA to let them know what I saw,” Reyes said during an interview with a US-based broadcaster.
FAA remains quiet
However, her efforts to seek clarification went unanswered, as she received no response from the FAA.
Nonetheless, the footage caught the attention of Thomas Wertman, the state director of the Mutual UFO Network in Ohio, who conducted a thorough analysis for The New York Post.
After scrutinising the video, Wertman ruled out conventional explanations such as a news helicopter, drone, or military-operated aircraft. He highlighted that the object’s altitude, shape, and proximity to a major commercial flight path made these scenarios highly improbable.
“Drones aren’t supposed to fly at that altitude legally,” Wertman explained, suggesting that if the object were linked to military or law enforcement activities, it would typically steer clear of heavily trafficked air routes. His assessment raised concerns about potential aviation safety risks posed by unidentified objects.
Pentagon on UFO
While UFO sightings are not uncommon in the US, the Pentagon has consistently found no evidence of extraterrestrial technology. In a recent report released in March this year, the Pentagon clarified that most sightings were misidentifications of mundane objects and phenomena.
(The article is published under a mutual content partnership arrangement between The Free Press Journal and Connected to India)
