Sphere over Los Angeles (in flight), CA

The report, as filed

Sitting on the left side of AA FLIGHT 6031 into Los Angeles from San Jose. Late afternoon arrival, clear day. On approach at approximately 2,000 feet bearing east toward downtown, approximately 1-2 minutes before right turn into final. Observed a small, metallic sphere traveling in the opposite direction (west) at a very high rate of speed. Distance, speed and size of craft not possible in the very short duration of observation. Object appeared reflective. Sighting was not discussed with any other crew members or passengers. ((ADDENDUM FROM WITNESS)) Dear Peter I did not mention it to others on the aircraft and the date is accurate within a week or so. I was actually familiar with the flight crew, as I take this fight many times a month but the cockpit door was closed as we disembarked so the opportunity didn’t exist to discuss. I don’t want to get into the details of what I do for a living but I fly a lot, sometimes many times a week. I’m very familiar with most types of aircraft, both civilian and military (and I’ve flow on over 25 types personally). I’ve seen similar objects on two separate occasions over the last 15-20 years. Both were metallic spheres, one was a metallic green and the other more red and they seemed to have a slight glow… and both, I recall, seemed disturbingly close to the aircraft. Those, if I recall correctly, happened over the mid-west but it was many years ago. I believe one was near DFW. The recent sighting was the first I’ve had in at least a decade. The object just seemed to be metallic with no coloration. But it was an extremely brief sighting. As I mentioned, the disturbing part to me is that these objects are flying, at high speed, well within safe commercial separation. It’s hard to determine their actual size but maybe something akin to Sputnik. They seem to have no visible means propulsion or ability to stay aloft (wing surface, stabilizers, etc) nor any other surface breaks, antenna, etc. I’ve always been reluctant to discuss but now that I’m on number three I feel compelled to figure it out. I brought it up only once prior to a 777 pilot deadheading in a seat next to me but he wasn’t very eager to continue the line of conversation. If they’re government controlled it’s amazing that such technology exists but, at the same time, seemingly dangerous practice. Especially over such busy airspace as the Los Angeles Basin. ((END ADDENDUM)) Witness indicates that the date of the sighting is approximate. PD

Held as-reported from National UFO Reporting Center (record NUFORC #147041). Witness text is preserved verbatim, including its spelling; nothing is edited beyond formatting.