FAA and Unexplained Flying Objects (UFO) Encounter

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has an ongoing role in investigating Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) and Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP). This responsibility is crucial, as the agency has been involved in several high-profile UAP incidents over the years.

One such incident occurred in 1986, when Captain Kenju Terauchi, an experienced former fighter pilot with over 10,000 hours of flight time, reported a near miss with a UFO while leading Japan Airlines Flight 1628 over Alaska. The FAA investigated the incident without classifying it as a threat to air travel. John Callahan, a former Division Chief of the Accidents and Investigations Branch of the FAA, was involved in this case, which contributed to his prominence in the UFO community.

Fast forward to 2019, the FAA established the Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Task Force (UAPTF) to collect and analyze data on UAP sightings and determine the cause of these events. The organization works with the Department of Defense, intelligence agencies, and other organizations to ensure the safety of air travel.

The FAA's role in investigating UAP sightings is likely to become even more important in the coming years due to the recent increase in UAP sightings by military pilots. According to a 2020 article by NBC News, the FAA receives an average of one UAP sighting report per month from military pilots.

The Oregon UFO incident, which occurred on October 25, 2017, over Oregon, is another example of the FAA's involvement in UAP investigations. The unidentified flying object in the Oregon incident was traversing the skies at a high rate.

In 2021, the FAA released a statement acknowledging that they have no explanation for the majority of UAP sightings and are continuing to gather data on these events. This statement underscores the FAA's commitment to understanding and addressing the phenomenon of UAPs.

The Phoenix Lights incident in 1997, where multiple witnesses in Arizona reported strange lights in the sky, is another well-known UAP incident. Initially, the FAA explained the lights as flares, but later changed their explanation to military flares from a nearby training exercise.

In conclusion, the FAA plays a vital role in investigating UAP incidents, ensuring the safety of air travel, and gathering data on these events. As the number of UAP sightings continues to rise, the FAA's work in this area is likely to become even more significant.