NUFORC Sighting 14555

Occurred: 2000-10-14 18:15 Local
Reported: 2000-10-14 00:00 Pacific
Duration: 3 minutes
No of observers: 3

Location: Sarasota, FL, USA

Shape: Unknown
Characteristics: Aircraft nearby

Small black object following airliner within its contrail

While seated at an outdoor restaurant on the Gulf of Mexico, myself and two dinner companions observed what appeared to be a widebody commercial airliner, silver in color, heading north at cruising speed, at an altitude of perhaps 10,000-15,000 feet. Behind the aircraft a very clearly defined contrail extended for perhaps 1/4 to 1/2 mile. Towards the tail end of the contrail, there appeared a black object about the size of an automobile. This object followed the aircraft at a fixed distance, always remaining perfectly centered within the contrail. No wings or control surfaces were visible on the object, but it appeared metallic in composition because it seemed to reflect the light from the sun, which was low on the horizon. It was difficult to determine the exact shape of the object because it was engulfed in the vapor trail, but it was consistently visible and did not disappear at any point during the time the aircraft was in sight. Other patrons nearby immediately noticed the object, despite that I had only pointed at the aircraft and did not mention the UFO. One person commented that it was as if the aircraft was towing the black object, although no towing cable was visible. During the course of the sighting, the contrail rapidly dispersed about 100 feet behind the black object, leaving no evidence of the aircraft's passage.

Posted 2000-12-02