NUFORC Sighting 82152

Occurred: 2011-06-30 21:00 Local
Reported: 2011-07-04 19:30 Pacific
Duration: 15 seconds
No of observers: 1

Location: Ocean Isle Beach, NC, USA

Shape: Light

My family and I have been spending a lot of time at Ocean Isle Beach, NC recently.

I am a 55 year old FAA licensed pilot that flies regularly and I am always watching the skies since I also love astronomy. I have read multiple other reports lately from nearby Myrtle Beach, SC, and Holden Beach, NC, of strange orange lights appearing.

On June 30th, while sitting outside alone around 9 PM, I am watching the sky over the ocean, but don't see anything unusual until I glance behind me to the North toward Ocean Isle airport (which is only a mile away).

In the exact area where you would normally see an airplane on downwind leg to runway 24 at the airport, I watch a steady orange light cruising in a straight line near the airport, "silently", for about 15 seconds before fading out completely. It appeared to be cruising around 100 knots and to be between me and the airport.

A few minutes later, a small general aviation plane flew almost the same pattern with the expected engine noise.

The orange light was definitely not part of a conventional aircraft, due to the speed combined with the lack of noise.

Posted 2011-07-06