Encounter Atlas
FAA pilot reports / California
Pilot UFO reports over California
38 reports from aircrews in the FAA's released UAP files, May 18, 2021 to October 1, 2024.
- October 1, 2024 05:21 UTCLos Angeles, CaliforniaStarlink mentioned
SWA986 · B737 · 40,000 ft
Aircraft reported an unidentified aerial phenomenon off the left side while N bound at FL400, 16NM SW of LAX. The unknown phenomenon was bright lights orbiting and stationary at approximately FL600. The UAP was not observed on ATC facility radar system. Objects correlate with StarLink map.
- September 30, 2024 22:05 PDTLos Angeles, CaliforniaStarlink mentioned
Southwest 986 · B737 · 60,000 ft
PRELIM INFO FROM FAA OPS: LOS ANGELES, CA/UFO-UAP ACTIVITY/2221P/LOS ANGELES ARTCC ADVISED SOUTHWEST 986, B737, SAN - OAK, REPORTED AN UNIDENTIFIED AERIAL PHENOMENON OF BRIGHT LIGHTS ORBITING-STATIONARY AT FL600 FROM THE RIGHT SIDE WHILE N BOUND AT FL400 16 SW LAX. NO EVASIVE ACTION TAKEN. OBJECT CORRELATES WITH STARLINK MAP. WOC 202-267-3333 RC/JC
- September 17, 2024 14:20 PDTAvenal, California
20,000 ft
PRELIM INFO FROM FAA OPS: AVENAL, CA/UFO-UAP ACTIVITY/1500P/LOS ANGELES ARTCC ADVISED PUBLIC USE TROY21, BEECH B350, RIV - SJC, REPORTED AN UNIDENTIFIED AERIAL PHENOMENON TRAVEL 10 FEET BELOW RIGHT WING WHILE AT FL200, 20 SE AVENAL VOR (AVE). NO EVASIVE ACTION REPORTED. THE UAP WAS DESCRIBED AS A FOOTBALL SIZED, CYLINDRICAL SHAPE. LEO NOTIFICATION NOT REPORTED. WOC 202-267-3333 JF/MO
- May 16, 2024 20:31 UTCPalm Springs, California
N972PA · SR20
Aircraft reported an unidentified aerial phenomenon while NW bound at 3,700 feet, 7NM SE of PSP. The unknown phenomenon was a manned jet pack traveling N bound at approximately 3,500 feet. The UAP was not observed on ATC facility radar systems.
- March 6, 2024 09:41 PSTOakland, California
PRELIM INFO FROM FAA OPS: OAKLAND, CA/UFO-UAP ACTIVITY/0941P/UNITED 1986, B738, SFO - SEA, REPORTED A BLACK UFO 100 FEET FROM THEIR 1 O'CLOCK POSITION WHILE NW BOUND AT 8,000 FEET 2 NNE OAK. NO EVASIVE ACTION TAKEN. LEO NOTIFICATION NOT REPORTED.
- January 27, 2024 13:02 UTCSan Francisco, California
EVA008 · B777 · 37,000 ft
Aircraft reported an unidentified aerial phenomenon off the 12 o'clock while E bound at FL370, 450 NM W of SFO. The unknown phenomenon appeared to be dogfighting at approximately FL500. The UAP was not observed on ATC facility radar system.
- January 27, 2024 05:02 PSTSan Francisco, CaliforniaSeen on radar
China Registered Eva 008 · B77W · 50,000 ft
PRELIM INFO FROM FAA OPS: SAN FRANCISCO, CA/UFO-UAP ACTIVITY/0502P/OAKLAND ARTCC ADVISED CHINA REGISTERED EVA 008, B77W, TAIPEI, TAIWAN (RCTP) - SFO, REPORTED AN UNIDENTIFIED AERIAL PHENOMENON OF ACFT DOGFIGHTING AT FL500 FROM THE 12 O'CLOCK POSITION WHILE W BOUND AT FL370 450 NM WEST OF SFO. ATC REPORTED NO UAP OBSERVED ON RADAR.
- January 26, 2024 06:49 UTCGoffs, California
MULTIPLE · 26,000 ft
Aircraft reported an unidentified aerial phenomenon off the front while E bound at various Flight Levels, 25 NM SW of GFS. The unknown phenomenon was orange flashing lights static in nature at approximately FL260 to FL320. The UAP was not observed on ATC facility radar system.
- January 25, 2024 21:38 PSTGoffs, California
26,000 ft
PRELIM INFO FROM FAA OPS: GOFFS, CA/UFO-UAP ACTIVITY/2249P/LOS ANGELES ARTCC ADVISED MULTIPLE ACFT REPORTED AN UNIDENTIFIED AERIAL PHENOMENON WITH ORANGE FLASHING LIGHTS FROM THE 12 O'CLOCK POSITION WHILE E BOUND BETWEEN FL260 AND FL320 25 SW GOFFS. NO EVASIVE ACTION TAKEN. NO LEO NOTIFICATION PROVIDED.
- January 21, 2024 13:18 UTCPalm Springs, California
XLJ411 · LJ40 · 41,000 ft
Aircraft reported an unidentified aerial phenomenon from the 12 o'clock position while SE bound climbing to FL410, 10NM NW of PSP. The unknown phenomenon was a bright light turning and then stationary at times significantly higher than the aircraft. No evasive maneuvers required. The UAP was not observed on ATC facility radar system.
- January 21, 2024 05:18 PSTPalm Springs, California
Xcel Jet 411 · LJ40 · 41,000 ft
PRELIM INFO FROM FAA OPS: PALM SPRINGS, CA/UFO-UAP ACTIVITY/0518P/LOS ANGELES ARTCC ADVISED XCEL JET 411, LEARJET LJ40, VNY - TUS, REPORTED AN UNIDENTIFIED AERIAL PHENOMENON OF A BRIGHT LIGHT STATIONARY AND TURNING SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER THAN ACFT 12 O'CLOCK POSITION WHILE SE BOUND AT FL410 10 NW PSP. NO EVASIVE ACTION TAKEN. NO LEO NOTIFICATION.
- November 18, 2023 11:08 UTCLos Angeles, California
OAE1169 · B762 · 39,000 ft
Aircraft reported an unidentified aerial phenomenon off the right side while E bound at FL390, 110 NM SW of LAX. The unknown phenomenon was bright white and erratically moving traveling SE bound at approximately FL450 and above. The UAP was not observed on ATC radar systems.
- November 18, 2023 03:02 PSTLos Angeles, California
Omni Air 1169 · B762 · 39,000 ft
PRELIM INFO FROM FAA OPS: LOS ANGELES, CA/UFO-UAP ACTIVITY/0308P/LOS ANGELES ARTCC ADVISED OMNI AIR 1169, B762, HNL - AFW, REPORTED A BRIGHT WHITE UNIDENTIFIED AERIAL PHENOMENON FROM THE RIGHT SIDE WHILE E BOUND AT FL390 110 SW LAX. NO EVASIVE ACTION TAKEN. NO LEO NOTIFICATION REPORTED.
- October 31, 2023 19:26 UTCNear Oakland, California
UAL189 · B738 · 35,000 ft
Aircraft reported an unidentified aerial phenomenon off the left and right side side while E bound at FL350, over YELLO intersection. The unknown phenomenon was bright white lights traveling 100-500 NM SE bound at approximately FL410-FL800.
Original report (PDF) National Archives catalog (placed approximately)
- October 28, 2023 05:10 UTCUkiah, California
ASA1233 · B739 · 36,000 ft
Aircraft reported an unidentified aerial phenomenon off the front side while NW bound at FL360, 20 NM W of ENI. The unknown phenomenon was lights traveling along the coast above their altitude. SWA3098, B737, PDX-SJC, FL390 reported same UAP.
- October 27, 2023 22:10 PDTUkiah, California
Alaska 1233 · B739 · 36,000 ft
PRELIM INFO FROM FAA OPS: UKIAH, CA/UFO-UAP ACTIVITY/2210P/OAKLAND ARTCC ADVISED ALASKA 1233, B739, LAX - SEA, REPORTED LIGHTS FROM ABOVE AT THE 12 O'CLOCK POSITION WHILE NW BOUND AT FL360 20 WSW MENDOCINO VORTAC. NO EVASIVE ACTION TAKEN.
- July 21, 2023 05:15 UTCLos Angeles, California
QXE2063 · E75L · 25,000 ft
Aircraft reported an unidentified aerial phenomenon while S bound at FL250, 20NM SW of LAX. The unknown phenomenon was described as 10-15 stationary lights at approximately FL230. No evasive action taken. HQ DEN requested NORAD to check their systems, negative results. AWO advised.
- July 21, 2023 04:55 UTCOceanside, California
DAL2110 · BCS3 · 21,000 ft
Aircraft reported an unidentified aerial phenomenon off the right side while SE bound at FL210, 15NM WNW of OCN. The unknown phenomenon was described as a set of bright lights offshore, no altitude given. No evasive action taken. HQ DEN requested NORAD to check their systems, negative results. AWO advised.
- July 21, 2023 04:53 UTCCamarillo, California
AAL266 · A321
Aircraft reported an unidentified aerial phenomenon while E bound at 14,000 feet, 16NM WSW of CMA. The unknown phenomenon was described as multiple lights appearing to separate. No evasive action taken. HQ DEN requested NORAD to check their systems, negative results. AWO advised.
- July 21, 2023 04:52 UTCLos Angeles, California
DAL2054 · B738
Aircraft reported an unidentified aerial phenomenon while S bound at 14,200 feet, 20NM SW of LAX. The unknown phenomenon was described as multiple stationary lights appearing to be synchronized. No evasive action taken. HQ DEN requested NORAD to check their systems, negative results. AWO advised.
- July 21, 2023 04:40 UTCPalm Springs, California
SWA121 · B737 · 24,000 ft
Aircraft reported an unidentified aerial phenomenon approximately 100NM off the left side while W bound at FL240, 20NM E of PSP. The unknown phenomenon was described as 1 orange colored light near the Mexico border at approximately FL240. No evasive action taken. HQ DEN requested NORAD to check their systems, negative results. AWO advised.
- July 20, 2023 22:15 PDTLos Angeles, California
Horizon 2063 · E75L · 25,000 ft
PRELIM INFO FROM FAA OPS: LOS ANGELES, CA/UFO-UAP ACTIVITY/2215P/LOS ANGELES ARTCC ADVISED HORIZON 2063, E75L, PDX - SNA, REPORTED AN UNIDENTIFIED AERIAL PHENOMENON WHILE S BOUND AT FL250 20 SW LAX. PHENOMENON DESCRIBED AS 10-15 STATIONARY LIGHTS AT APPROXIMATELY FL230. NO EVASIVE ACTION TAKEN. LEO NOTIFICATION NOT REPORTED.
- July 20, 2023 21:55 PDTOceanside, California
Delta 2110 · BCS3 · 21,000 ft
PRELIM INFO FROM FAA OPS: OCEANSIDE, CA/UFO-UAP ACTIVITY/2155P/LOS ANGELES ARTCC ADVISED DELTA 2110, BCS3, SEA - SAN, REPORTED AN UNIDENTIFIED AERIAL PHENOMENON FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ACFT WHILE SE BOUND AT FL210 15 WNW OCEANSIDE VORTAC. DESCRIBED AT SET OF BRIGHT LIGHTS OFF SHORE. NO EVASIVE ACTION TAKEN.
- July 20, 2023 21:53 PDTCamarillo, California
American 266 · A321
PRELIM INFO FROM FAA OPS: CAMARILLO, CA/UFO-UAP ACTIVITY/2153P/LOS ANGELES ARTCC ADVISED AMERICAN 266, A321, LIH - LAX, REPORTED AN UNIDENTIFIED AERIAL PHENOMENON WHILE E BOUND AT 14,000 FEET 16 WSW CMA. PHENOMENON DESCRIBED AS MULTIPLE LIGHTS APPEARING TO SEPARATE. NO EVASIVE ACTION TAKEN.
- July 20, 2023 21:25 PDTLos Angeles, California
Delta 2054 · B738
PRELIM INFO FROM FAA OPS: LOS ANGELES, CA/UFO-UAP ACTIVITY/2152P/LOS ANGELES ARTCC ADVISED DELTA 2054, B738, SFO LAX, REPORTED AN UNIDENTIFIED AERIAL PHENOMENON WHILE S BOUND AT 14,200 FEET 20 SW LAX. PHENOMENON DESCRIBED AS MULTIPLE STATIONARY LIGHTS APPEARING TO BE SYNCHRONIZED. NO EVASIVE ACTION TAKEN. LEO NOTIFICATION NOT REPORTED.
- May 25, 2023 05:50 UTCTruckee, California
An individual reported a ground observation of a very bright light with a low sphere shape and lights surrounding it at an altitude twice the height of the tree line in the vicinity of TRK airport remain stationary for approximately 30 minutes. The Unexplained Phenomena Reporting Data Collection Center was notified. AWO advised.
- May 1, 2023 09:10 UTCSanta Catalina, California
AAL116 · B772
Aircraft reported an unidentified aerial phenomenon off the L side while NE bound at 37,000 feet, 235 NM 210 deg of SXC. The unknown phenomenon was alternating flashing lights traveling same direction at approximately 10,000 feet above. There were about 6-8 LEO satellites in the area.
Original report (PDF) National Archives catalog (placed approximately)
- March 17, 2023 05:00 UTCFresno, California
N760ED · C56X · 40,000 ft
Aircraft reported an unidentified aerial phenomenon while NNW bound at FL400, in the vicinity of FAT and VIS. The unknown phenomenon was multicolored lights (orange, purple, green, red) appearing to be larger than an aircraft.
- August 18, 2022 07:49 UTCLos Angeles, California
TWY670 · GLF6 · 47,000 ft
Aircraft reported an unidentified aerial phenomenon off the right side while W bound at FL470, 50NM W of LAX. The unknown phenomenon was a bright light in a holding pattern approximately 5,000 feet above. 0852 AAL6, B789, OGG-DFW, reported same aerial phenomenon off the left side while E bound at FL390, 40NM NW of SXC. TY/AWO notified.
- August 10, 2022 03:15 UTCSan Diego, California
C6021 · MH60
Aircraft reported an unidentified aerial phenomenon off the left side while W bound at 300 feet, 7 NM SE of NZY. The unknown phenomenon was a green light traveling W bound at approximately 50 feet. LEO notification was not reported. AWO notified.
- February 26, 2022 17:25 UTCDana Point, California
N500GF · GLF3 · 38,000 ft
Aircraft reported an unidentified aerial phenomenon while east bound at FL380, 42 NM SW of SPI. The unknown phenomenon was a balloon 25 ft in diameter. PIC reported NMAC.
- January 27, 2022 00:50 UTCLos Angeles, California
DAL326 · B763
Aircraft reported an unidentified aerial phenomenon off the right side while W bound at 2,200 feet, 5 NM E of LAX. The unknown phenomenon was described as a jet pack man at approximately 2,400 feet. No other aircraft or airborne PD HELO reported object in sight. JH notified.
- October 20, 2021 23:15 UTCBurbank, California
EJA680 · C68A
Aircraft reported an unidentified aerial phenomenon while SE bound at 3,000 feet, 3NM E of BUR. The unknown phenomenon was reported as a "jetpack individual" traveling along Highway 101. Burbank PD HELO on frequency responded with negative results. Information received by MOR. JH advised.
- September 25, 2021 15:34 UTCLos Angeles, California
SKW5329 · E75L
Aircraft observed a manned jetpack off the left side while SE bound at 11,000 feet, 17 NM NW of LAX. No evasive action was taken. The jetpack was traveling N bound below him and off his left wing. TY notified.
- August 29, 2021 20:35 UTCOakland, California
N712MF · EV97
Aircraft reported person in a jet pack at 3,000 while SE bound at 3,500 feet, 6 NM E of OAK. No evasive action was taken.
- July 29, 2021 01:31 UTCLos Angeles, California
CKS363 · B744
Aircraft reported an unidentified aerial phenomenon while W bound at 5,000 feet, 15 NM E of LAX. The unknown phenomenon was a jet pack. AWO/JH notified.
- June 25, 2021 00:57 UTCLong Beach, California
N974PA · C182
Aircraft reported a Jet Pack LGB205004 at 5,400 ft. Jet pack was traveling NW. No evasive action. Long Beach PD notified 562-435-6711. Long Beach PD was not certain what they should do. HQ DEN advised SCT to call PD back and let them know, that this was a hazard to aviation and request they send a LEO out and try to make contact, collect identifying info to be included in the MOR for the FAA to take action. 0134 SCT advised Long Beach PD did not have the manpower to search for the individual. JH/AWO notified.
- May 18, 2021 19:33 PDTPalm Springs, California
Ups 913 · B752 · 24,000 ft
PRELIM INFO FROM FAA OPS: PALM SPRINGS, CA/UAS INCIDENT/LATE REPORT 5-18 1933P/SOCAL TRACON ADVISED UPS 913, B752, REPORTED OBJECT PASS 500 FEET BELOW LEFT WING WHILE E BOUND AT FL240 29 W PALM SPRINGS. PILOT STATED WHITE TORPEDO SHAPED OBJECT AND NOT A UAS. OBJECT REPORTED TO BE FAST MOVING. NO EVASIVE ACTION TAKEN. NATIONAL UFO REPORTING OFFICE NOTIFIED.