NUFORC Sighting 31085

Occurred: 2003-08-31 21:02 Local
Reported: 2003-08-31 23:14 Pacific
Duration: 5 - 10 sec.
No of observers: 1

Location: La Canada, CA, USA

Shape: Other
Characteristics: Lights on object

At first I thought this was a helicopter, and it may well have been, but the lights were odd, and didn't quite fit for a helicopter. There were three lights, all the same color: white, a little on the warm side, like tungsten. They were close together, almost touching. It wasn't completely dark and I could not see a structure connecting or connected to the lights against the background sky. I was answering my cell phone, and thus a little distracted during the sighting. I initially thought the largest light was a bright interior light of the helicopter cabin, followed by a slightly smaller light on the rear rotor, topped by the third navigation light, a point source blinking at about 1 or 2 Hz. After observing it for a second or two, it hit me that the pattern of lights didn't match a helicopter. I didn't hear a sound coming from it, which occurred to me after the event. There also is a fair amount of freeway noise coming from the direction of the sighting, which may have been drowning out the motor if it were a helicopter. This object was traveling east to west. I viewed it directly from the north (ie., I was looking south). It seemed to be coming from the Rose Bowl area and it headed off through Cresenta Valley going toward Sunland.

I have logged many hours in small aircraft, including helicopters, and can identify many aircraft by make. I actively search the sky for UFOs. This is the third strange light I've seen. I'd like to hear from anyone who may have seen this as well, or who can confirm it was simply a helicopter. The time is pretty exact, taken from the cell phone call.

Posted 2003-09-04