NUFORC Sighting 56024

Occurred: 2006-03-29 18:50 Local
Reported: 2007-03-31 14:37 Pacific
Duration: 10 seconds
No of observers: 0

Location: Richmond, VA, USA

Shape: Other
Characteristics: Aircraft nearby

Red and Silver Object Viewed Shortly After Take-off from Richmond International Airport

We had just taken off from RIC and had not quite reached 10,000 feet when just outside the port side of the airplane; I noticed a silver and red object in a stationary position.

The distance from our aircraft to the object is unknown, but it was close enough to see some detail.

The object was vertical in orientation with a long, antenna-like object on top with multiple array and wide, round center body and an even longer cylindrical "rod" (?) protruding out of the bottom of the object. It appeared as though the object needed the bottom portion of to maintain balance, though that it speculative on my part, as the object did not appear to be moving.

I had been looking out the window and noticed the object right away and as we climbed it remained in a fixed position. As we climbed it fell out of my view.

It almost looked as though it should have been attached to a tether on the ground, except none were visible.

Interestingly, shortly before take-off from RIC, 2 F-16's from the Virginia Air National Guard landed and shortly before take-off, a Navy E-2C Hawkeye was "practicing" touch and go's at the airport.

NUFORC Note:

Witness elects to remain totally anonymous; provides no contact information. PD

Posted 2007-04-27