EUGENE, Ore. — Multiple pilots have reported sightings of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) over Oregon this past weekend, fueling intrigue and speculation within the aviation community. On December 7, during routine flights, pilots from Life Flight Network and commercial airlines described their encounters with mysterious lights moving erratically across the evening sky.
Joe Buley, a pilot for Life Flight Network, was on his routine flight near Eugene when he spotted unusual lights. Buley recounted, "Got down near the Corvallis area and started seeing the weird lights. ... just an orange-ish red orb moving quite a ways away, at least 20 miles away from us." This sighting, along with audio communications to air traffic control, suggests pilots were not alone in witnessing these strange phenomena.
Moments later, several commercial airline pilots would also report their own sightings of colorful, circular lights allegedly moving at incredible speeds. An air traffic control recording obtained by OregonLive captured the tension as one United Airlines pilot flying from Denver to Eugene questioned, "Is there any military activity out straight ahead of us?" The air traffic controller replied, confirming she had not seen anything and acknowledged other reports of unidentified objects at 30,000 feet.
“We’re not sure what it is,” the controller added, which only amplified the uncertainty among the pilots. The United Airlines pilot continued relaying details, stating, "They’re [at] all altitudes. Up and down. It’s pretty crazy," emphasizing how the lights were darting about, appearing and disappearing at various heights.
Another voice recorded on the air traffic control lines belonged to the pilot of an air ambulance, who described lights behaving as if they were "zipping toward us and back out toward the ocean, red in color, moving at extreme speeds." This pilot expressed difficulty articulately describing the phenomenon, saying, "I don’t even know how to describe it."
Air traffic control took the situation seriously. One of the controllers advised, "You are cleared to maneuver as necessary left and right to avoid the UFO out there." This directive underscored the potential for danger, though it was later clarified no flights experienced any incidents as they continued to their destinations.
Adding to the puzzle was the reaction from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which acknowledged at least one confirmed sighting from the pilot but has released no comprehensive follow-up information. Experts and scientists have also weighed in on the recorded phenomenon. Douglas Buettner, who conducted research on similar sightings by pilots over the Pacific Ocean last year, suggested, “I’ve had two other people look at it, and they say it is consistent with Starlink,” referencing the satellite system launched by SpaceX.
Interestingly, technicians and astronomers are exploring various explanations for the lights, which have triggered curiosity across the region. With countless videos circulating on platforms like KGW taken by pilots, showcasing blurry images of bright orbs against the dark sky, many viewers remain mystified.
Local media and aviation enthusiasts have been abuzz with deductions and theories about the lights, though neither Life Flight Network nor the pilots involved are speculating about the objects’ origins. A representative from Life Flight Network confirmed, "While the nature of the light remains unidentified, at no time did it pose any safety risk to our aircraft or crew."
The investigation is still active as air traffic control follows up with central aviation authorities and responds to additional correspondences from concerned pilots. The situation adds another layer to the narrative of UFOs and unidentified phenomena, particularly as more eyes take to the skies, eager to report what appears to be something beyond mundane explanations.
For now, the skies over Oregon remain open and as curious as ever, with more potential for sightings as more pilots navigate this exaggerated narrative of strange encounters. This incident puts the historic question of UFOs back on the airwaves and piques interest from thrill-seekers and skeptics alike, ready for the next observation.
