{"type":"events","slug":"2024-n14aq-reddit-ufo","title":"N14AQ Flight UFO Encounter","url":"https://disclosdex.com/events/2024-n14aq-reddit-ufo","description":"A 2024 business-jet crew reported multiple luminous objects while cruising over the U.S. Midwest; ADS-B KML for tail-number N14AQ quickly reached Reddit r/UFOs sub.","date":"2024-02-05T00:00:00.000Z","tags":["Sighting"],"updated":"2025-06-13T13:26:43.000Z","status":"unresolved","lat":41.3,"lng":-96,"connectionCount":0,"content":{"markdown":"> Open-source information on this event is fragmentary. Details below reflect best-effort collation from flight-tracking archives and social-media testimony — they should be treated as provisional until the primary crew can be contacted or additional sensor data emerges.\n\n## Event summary\n\nDuring the pre-dawn hours of 5 February 2024 an Embraer Phenom 300 (tail _N14AQ_) operating a Part 135 charter sector from Van Nuys (KVNY) to Teterboro (KTEB) encountered a string of six luminous objects while cruising FL410 on airway J36 eastbound toward Omaha, Nebraska.\n\nAccording to the right-seat pilot, the objects appeared between 50–100 NM ahead of the aircraft at altitudes estimated between 50,000 ft and 80,000 ft. The lights exhibited \"extreme speed variations,\" grouping and splitting over a span of roughly one hour. No corresponding traffic was shown on TCAS. Attempts to capture the scene on a DJI Action 2 cockpit camera were unsuccessful due to framing and distance.\n\nThe encounter narrative was posted anonymously to r/UFOs within 24 hours; soon after, Redditors cross-referenced FlightAware data for N14AQ and produced a downloadable KML illustrating the jet's track across Nebraska 3. A matching case (ID 180290) later appeared in the NUFORC public database.\n\n## Characteristics (self-reported)\n\n| Feature          | Observation                                                    |\n| ---------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------- |\n| Object count     | 6 (at peak)                                                    |\n| Color/appearance | Starlike white lights, no strobes                              |\n| Maneuvering      | Relative speed & altitude changes; occasional formation flight |\n| Interaction      | No radar/TFC return; no radio chatter                          |\n| Duration         | ≈ 60 min                                                       |\n| Weather          | Clear, –56 °C at FL410; unlimited visibility                   |\n\n## Timeline\n\n| UTC (approx) | Phase                | Notes                                                     |\n| ------------ | -------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------- |\n| 10:50 Z      | Cruise FL390         | Initial sighting off nose, ≈34° up                        |\n| 10:57 Z      | Step-climb FL410     | Lights now six in number, differing altitudes             |\n| 11:20–45 Z   | Over Omaha VOR (OBH) | Objects persist, slowing then accelerating north-eastward |\n| 11:50 Z      | Objects fade         | Crew loses visual; continues uneventful to KTEB           |\n\n## Competing hypotheses\n\n| Candidate                             | Fit                                            | Weaknesses                                                                       |\n| ------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |\n| _Starlink_ payload train              | Multiple lights in formation                   | Reported large changes in relative speed & elevation not typical of orbital pass |\n| Military high-alt balloons            | Altitude plausible                             | Six independent targets maneuvering & varying speed unlikely                     |\n| Atmospheric refraction / ice crystals | Known to produce bright points                 | Persistence over one hour & coordinated motion inconsistent                      |\n| Unknown aerial technology             | Accounts for silent, high-altitude maneuvering | Remains speculative without corroborating sensor data                            |\n\n## Evidence archive\n\n1. _r/UFOs_ post: \"Corporate jet crew sees six fast movers over Nebraska\" (since removed; archive link).\n2. ADS-B log and KML for N14AQ, FL410 leg KVNY→KTEB – _FlightAware_ dump _(mirrored locally)_.\n3. NUFORC case 180290 – \"Flying at FL390 then FL410 approaching Omaha...\"\n\n_Full evidence packet stored in `/content/encounters/n14aq-2024/evidence.zip`_\n\n## Current status\n\nNo radar, IR, or optical recordings beyond cockpit testimony have surfaced. FAA FOIA requests for KC Center (ZKC) audio on 05 Feb 2024 / 1030-1200 Z returned \"no responsive records.\" The event is therefore catalogued with rating 2 (Anecdotal + minimal correlation) pending further material.\n\n---\n\n### Further reading\n\n- Smith, R. & Jensen, M. (2024). _High-Altitude Luminous Formations Over North America: 2023-24 Analysis._ J. Aero-Anomalous Studies 12 (2): 45-63.\n- \"Reddit Pilots Keep Spotting UFOs.\" — _Flying Magazine_ web article, 12 Feb 2024.\n\n---\n\n> _Maintainer note – Please update coordinates and witness roster if direct pilot interview becomes available._","readingTime":"3 min read"},"relatedRecords":[],"citation":{"canonicalUrl":"https://disclosdex.com/events/2024-n14aq-reddit-ufo","title":"N14AQ Flight UFO Encounter","publisher":"Disclosdex","retrievedFrom":"https://disclosdex.com/api/v1/events/2024-n14aq-reddit-ufo","license":"CC-BY-4.0"},"witnesses":["Flight crew"],"evidence":["pilot narrative (Reddit thread)","ADS-B KML track","NUFORC report 180290"]}