NUFORC Sighting 13420

Occurred: 2000-07-05 16:00 Local
Reported: 2000-07-13 00:00 Pacific
Duration: 1 minute
No of observers: 4

Location: Wildwood Coast, NJ, USA

Shape: Cylinder
Characteristics: Aircraft nearby

Saw shiny, metallic, coffee can-shaped object while flying in plane south along New Jersey Coastline at 4 PM

Flying south along New Jersey coastline at approx 1500 feet, between Atlantic City and Wildwood in a Saratoga Piper with 3 adult passengers and my cousin, an experienced pilot. Pilot spotted object and asked us passengers, "Do you see that?" ...In front, to the right and below the plane, we see a shiny metallic coffee can shaped object - no wings, no strings or wrinkles like a mylar balloon -- just a shiny silver colored object reflecting sunlight (It was a clear day with haze only in distant horizon). Object appeared only as big as a pencil eraser at arms length. Object traveled steadily, but not speedily in nearly straight beeline north, passing us on right, but rose slightly to our plane's altitude as it passed. Definitely was not being carried the wind like a balloon. Object NAVIGATED north. Pilot radioed to air traffic control for radar identification of target. ATC said "Showing no traffic in your area". Pilot explained to me later that before he pointed it out to us, it came in swiftly from the ocean - from the front left - above the plane, then moved swiftly from left to right above and in front of the plane at a distance before descending to the right below the plane. Then he pointed the object out to us. ATC was tracking other targets, like parasailers, at other points on this flight from Atlantic City to Cape May. It was very odd. Distance was difficult to determine, but I haven't had a chance to discuss those details with my pilot cousin yet. He keeps detailed flight notes, so the exact altitude, position and his estimated distance of the object should be obtainable.

Posted 2000-07-23