DATENovember 7, 2006
LOCATIONO'Hare International Airport, Chicago, Illinois (41.98°N 87.90°W)
CLASSIFICATIONPILOT-REPORT
EVIDENCE QUALITYMEDIUM
United Airlines employees and pilots observed a dark gray metallic disc hovering over Gate C17, which then accelerated vertically and punched a visible hole through the cloud layer.
12+AVIATION WITNESSES
On the afternoon of November 7, 2006, multiple United Airlines employees observed a dark gray metallic disc hovering silently over Gate C17 at Chicago O'Hare International Airport. The witnesses included ramp workers, pilots, and supervisors, all of whom were aviation professionals accustomed to identifying aircraft.
The object hovered for approximately five minutes before accelerating directly upward at extremely high speed. Witnesses reported that the object punched a clearly visible hole through the 1,900-foot cloud layer, which remained visible for several minutes after the object disappeared. This physical effect on the environment distinguishes the O'Hare case from many other sightings.
The FAA initially stated they had no record of the incident and attributed the sighting to a "weather phenomenon." However, a Chicago Tribune FOIA request revealed that United Airlines supervisors had called the FAA control tower to report the object, and controllers confirmed they received the report but saw nothing on radar.
O'Hare Airport 2006 UFO Sighting - Context
O'Hare International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world, making the sighting's location significant. The witnesses were aviation professionals whose jobs require them to identify aircraft and assess flight safety. The incident occurred in daylight during routine operations.
The case gained national attention through investigative reporting by Jon Hilkevitch of the Chicago Tribune, whose FOIA requests revealed the internal communications about the sighting that the FAA had initially denied existed.
O'Hare Airport 2006 UFO Sighting - Incident Timeline
2006-11-07 1615L
O'Hare Gate C17 (41.98°N 87.90°W)
United Airlines ramp employees observe dark gray disc hovering approximately 1,900 feet above gate [1]
2006-11-07 1617L
O'Hare Airport (41.98°N 87.90°W)
Multiple witnesses alert supervisors; pilots in nearby aircraft also observe object [1]
2006-11-07 1620L
O'Hare Airport (41.98°N 87.90°W)
Object accelerates vertically at extreme speed; witnesses report it punches visible hole through 1,900-foot cloud layer [2]
2006-11-07 1625L
FAA Tower (41.98°N 87.90°W)
United Airlines supervisor calls
FAA tower to report sighting; tower confirms call received [3]
2007-01-01
Chicago Tribune
Jon Hilkevitch breaks story after FOIA reveals
FAA had records of the incident despite initial denials [1]
O'Hare Airport 2006 UFO Sighting - Competing Explanations
Weather phenomenon or lenticular cloud [3]
Supporting Evidence
The FAA attributed the sighting to a "weather phenomenon." Lenticular clouds can appear disc-shaped and hover in place.
Conflicting Evidence
Aviation professionals would recognize common weather phenomena. The object was described as metallic with defined edges. It accelerated vertically at extreme speed. Clouds do not punch holes in other clouds.
Misidentified aircraft or drone [1]
Supporting Evidence
O'Hare has constant aircraft traffic. A drone or unusual aircraft could appear anomalous.
Conflicting Evidence
The object hovered motionless for five minutes in one of the most heavily monitored airspaces in the world. No flight plan or authorization existed. Aviation professionals who see aircraft daily described it as unlike any known craft. It left a visible hole in the cloud layer.
Reflection or optical illusion [2]
Supporting Evidence
Airport environments have many reflective surfaces and light sources that could create visual anomalies.
Conflicting Evidence
Multiple independent witnesses from different locations observed the same object. It was observed for several minutes. The cloud hole effect was visible to multiple witnesses after the object departed.
O'Hare Airport 2006 UFO Sighting - Eyewitness Testimony
United Airlines Ramp Employee (Anonymous)Ramp worker, United Airlines, O'Hare International Airport[Employment verified via Chicago Tribune investigation; name withheld at witness request]
"I tend to be scientific by nature, and I don't understand why aliens would hover over a busy airport. But I know what I saw and it was unnatural. It was definitely not an airplane."
Interview with Chicago Tribune, January 2007 [1]
"It was a metallic, saucer-shaped craft, hovering in place. It was unlike anything I've ever seen, and I've seen a lot of aircraft in my career."
Witness statement compiled by Tribune [1]
"I looked up and there it was, just sitting there above Gate C17. When it took off, it went straight up and left a hole in the clouds that was visible for several minutes."
Interview documented in Tribune investigation [2]
O'Hare Airport 2006 UFO Sighting - Physical Evidence
Environmental
Multiple witnesses reported the object punched a clearly visible circular hole through the 1,900-foot overcast cloud layer upon departure, which remained visible for several minutes. [2]
Sensor Specification: Type: Visual observation (no radar return) | Platform: Ground-based and aircraft observers | Operator: United Airlines employees, pilots | Data: Visual observation of cloud effect | Corroboration: Multiple independent witnesses observed hole
Current Status: Eyewitness accounts; no photographs of hole known to exist
Document
FAA communications log showing United Airlines supervisor reported the sighting to O'Hare control tower. Released via FOIA to Chicago Tribune. [3]
Current Status: Public record; contradicted initial
FAA denial
O'Hare Airport 2006 UFO Sighting - Official Investigation
Methodology: FAA initially denied any record of the incident. After FOIA request, acknowledged receiving report but stated no radar confirmation.
Findings: FAA confirmed no radar return was observed. Tower personnel confirmed receiving verbal report from United supervisor. [3]
Official Conclusion: FAA declined to investigate further, stating no air traffic safety issue was identified and attributing the sighting to a "weather phenomenon."
SOURCE LOG
1Hilkevitch, Jon. "In the sky! A bird? A plane? A UFO?" Chicago Tribune, January 1, 2007.[primary]
2Hilkevitch, Jon. Follow-up reporting on O'Hare incident, Chicago Tribune, January-February 2007.[primary]
3FAA communications log and FOIA response. Obtained by Chicago Tribune, December 2006.[primary] 4National UFO Reporting Center. O'Hare Airport report documentation, November 2006.[secondary]
5Kean, Leslie. "UFOs: Generals, Pilots, and Government Officials Go On the Record." Harmony Books, 2010.[secondary]
Editorial Note: This case file presents documented evidence. All statements are sourced. Competing explanations are presented with equal weight. UAPI does not draw conclusions about the nature or origin of observed phenomena.
