Type: Government Statement
Source: Federal Aviation Administration
The FAA’s response to the 2006 Chicago O'Hare International Airport UFO sighting evolved from initial denial to a definitive dismissal based on meteorological explanations.
Initial Denial: When first contacted by the Chicago Tribune in late 2006, FAA spokespeople, including Elizabeth Isham Cory, stated that no controllers saw the object and radar showed nothing unusual, claiming they were not conducting an investigation.
FOIA Revelation: After a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request forced an internal review of air-traffic control tapes, the FAA admitted that a United Airlines supervisor had indeed reported the object to the tower.
Official Explanation: The FAA concluded the sighting was a "weather phenomenon," specifically a "hole-punch cloud" (or fallstreak hole) created by atmospheric conditions and airport lights, and refused to launch a formal investigation despite the object hovering over a busy terminal.
Controversy: This response drew criticism from UFO investigators and witnesses, who argued that the FAA failed to fulfill its mandate to investigate potential security breaches at American airports, especially given the number of credible witnesses including pilots and mechanics.