NUFORC Sighting 72987

Occurred: 2009-10-23 20:30 Local
Reported: 2009-10-23 20:55 Pacific
Duration: 35 mins
No of observers: 2

Location: In flight (Dallas to Tampa), TX, USA

Shape: Unknown

Search light pacing commercial airliner for 35 minutes

I was on an American Flight from Dallas to Tampa. The flight took off on time 7:25pm EST. The weather was completely clear. I was sitting in a window seat in front of the wing. At approx 8:30pm EST I saw an light that I can only best describe as a "Search light" directly below me. The light was a white light (nothing unusual) and it kept pace with an MD80 at crusing speed. The light would go off completely for different amounts of time. And stay on for different amounts of time. There was no pattern. The light was concentrated/focused in a tight beam sometimes and at other times a wide pattern. The pattern was never circular or oval but at times square. I believe the source of the light to be very close to the ground. It would sweep the ground sometimes, appearing to follow a road for example. The light would be more active in rural areas but did shine on buildings and populated areas. At no time could I see any craft, no flashing/running lights.! I believe the American flight began crossing the Gulf of Mexico near Tallahassee. The light paced the American flight for Approx 35 mins. Approx 9:05pm EST when the American Flight began to cross the Gulf, I no longer saw it.

IF the light was traveling at 500 KMH (The Crusing Speed of a commercial aircraft) It would appear as only a flash to someone on the ground. The widest pattern appeared to be about 3 to 4 football fields. The tightest pattern appeared to be less than one half of a football field.

Posted 2009-12-12