LAX: Pilots spot device at 5,000 ft near Kalitta flight
Pilots of a Kalitta Air Cargo flight reported a device at 5,000 feet near Los Angeles International Airport. Initially mistaken for a jetpack user, it was described as bigger than a balloon but smaller than a helicopter.
Background
Incident
On July 28, 2021, the pilots of a Kalitta Air cargo flight observed an unknown object at about 1,500 metres near Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The object at first looked like a person with a jetpack, but proved to be considerably larger than a balloon and smaller than a helicopter or light aircraft.
Witnesses and Reports
The pilots of the Kalitta Air cargo flight passed their sighting to air traffic control and ruled out a person with a jetpack, since the size did not fit. This was part of a series of similar reports around LAX in 2021, investigated by agencies including the FAA and the FBI.
Investigation and Explanations
John Greenewald published details on The Black Vault, including FBI files of May 2, 2023 and October 1, 2025 that contradicted the pilots' accounts. The FAA and FBI suspected balloons, citing LAPD video of a human-shaped balloon. No further evidence or confirmation was found.
Significance
The sighting reflects continuing reports of unidentified objects near busy airports, prompted safety warnings, and fed debate about aviation hazards from drones or balloons.