Two pilots flying a private jet over the US state of Ohio have reported seeing a mysterious metallic object near their aircraft, which they called a UFO.
The pilots described it as a large, silver-coloured cylinder resembling a giant pill.
The sighting reportedly took place on 16 August near Tiffin, Ohio, as the aircraft approached a major thunderstorm at an altitude of 41,000ft.
According to a report published by the National UFO Reporting Center (NUFORC) on 26 October, the object appeared to emerge from storm clouds ahead of the jet.
The pilots described it as vertically positioned, highly reflective and without visible wings or flashing lights.
One of the pilots estimated that it was at least 30ft tall and passed within about two miles of the aircraft.
Concerned about a possible collision, the crew contacted Cleveland air traffic control to ask whether another aircraft or weather balloon was operating in the area.
However, air traffic controllers reportedly said that no corresponding object was visible on radar. The jet’s onboard collision-warning system also did not register anything unusual.
The sighting lasted approximately two minutes, during which one of the pilots managed to take a photograph using an iPhone.
NUFORC investigator Ben Hansen later obtained air traffic control recordings and radar information through a Freedom of Information Act request.
Investigators considered whether the object could have been a weather balloon but found no matching launch records.
The pilot also questioned whether a balloon could have remained airborne in the severe weather conditions encountered during the flight.
The aircraft subsequently experienced engine icing and moderate turbulence.
Despite the investigation, the object has not been identified.
