West of Clayton, NM: Cylindrical object over AAL2292
On February 21, 2021, at 12:19 p.m., a pilot of American Airlines Flight 2292 reported a fast-moving cylindrical object passing above the aircraft west of Clayton, New Mexico. FAA radar showed no tracks, and American Airlines confirmed the incident, referring inquiries to the FBI.
Background
Incident
On February 21, 2021 at 12:19 local time, the pilot of an American Airlines Airbus A320 operating flight 2292 observed a long cylindrical object passing high above the aircraft. The aircraft was en route from Kentucky to Arizona at 36,000 feet west of Clayton, New Mexico. The pilot described it as something resembling a cruise missile, moving extremely fast. He contacted the FAA Albuquerque Air Route Traffic Control Center by radio.
Witnesses and Confirmations
The pilot reported the object directly: "Something just passed over us — it looked like a long cylindrical object that almost looked like a cruise missile type of thing, moving really fast." American Airlines confirmed the authenticity of the recording after speaking with the crew and referred further questions to the FBI, which examined the case. The radio enthusiast Steve Douglass recorded the transmission.
Evidence and Investigations
FAA radar registered no target. No military tests had been announced, although the White Sands Missile Range lies nearby. The report was documented in outlets such as The Drive and The Black Vault. There was no primary radar return, which suggests high speed or a low radar signature.
Significance
The incident is among the notable civil UAP encounters in controlled airspace. It highlights safety concerns for commercial aircraft and feeds discussion of unidentified objects, in the manner of the Pentagon UAP reports. No explanation has been offered.