The Black Vault received word of this incident by someone who wishes to remain anonymous, but had access to the FAA database that listed the report. It was sent to The Black Vault in mid November of 2022.
From the below, it appears the date and time of the sighting is: 0640 EST / 1140 UTC on 11/11/2022.
The text related to the incident, as sent via email to The Black Vault, stated the following:
TIME/DATE: 11:38z 11/11/2022
TYPE OF INCIDENT: UNIDENTIFIED AERIAL PHENOMENON: SALT LAKE ARTCC (ZLC), SALT LAKE, UT, (ARTCC)
INCIDENT DETAILS: Initial/Closeout
Call Sign: UPS834
Aircraft Type: B752
Origin: ONT ONTARIO
Destination: BOI BOISE
New Destination: N/A
Remarks:
0640 EST / 1140 UTC 11/11/2022
UPS834/B752 reported unidentified aerial phenomenon above the aircraft while N-bound at FL360, 74 NM West of Yelland Field VOR/DME (ELY) Ely, NV . The unknown phenomenon was 2-3 white lights circling at approximately FL740. FDX1879 / B763, OAK-SLC, E-bound at FL370 reported the same.
ACTIONS/FOLLOW-UP/RECOVERY:
N/A
DIAGRAM MAP: N/A
SOURCE OF INFORMATION:
DEN
On November 15, 2022, The Black Vault filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for information related to the incident. The result was a visual of the radar data, laid over the ATC recordings. That clip is below.
It begins with the edited version created by The Black Vault to clip out long pauses, and non-UAP related banter. Edits are notated by a flash on the screen. It is then followed by the entire ATC recording, which plays in full, unedited and in real time.
In addition to this sighting, the recording also revealed another sighting of the same or similar phenomenon seen by an American Airlines flight the night prior. A FOIA case has already been filed, in hopes information can be released on that. By the date, and description, it appears it is likely American Airlines flight 399. That case will be added to The Black Vault, should information be released. This sighting on November 10th, coincides with another as seen by commercial airline pilots over Texas.
Note: The Black Vault has NOT done a formal investigation on this incident. Rather, the page you are on now was setup to archive a confirmed sighting archived within the FAA’s files. Noted “debunker” Mick West chimed in, and his explanation is below.
The ATC Recording Released, With Radar Information Displayed in Real Time
The Flight – Compliments of FlightAware
The Aircraft
FOIA Release Letter
Possible Explanation?
Noted “debunker” Mick West chimed in within 19 minutes of posting the case, and suggested Starlink flares.
The description of " 2-3 white lights circling at approximately FL740" initially suggests Starlink flares. The question here is if "above the aircraft" means at a higher altitude, towards the horizon, or means they would have to look up at a steep angle to see them. @flarkey
— Mick West (@MickWest) January 18, 2023
Shortly thereafter, he further stated it was definitively was.
He offered the below explanation, and screen shot, as an explanation:
“The audio gives [the]location, and date/time of the report, as well as the perception that they thought it was 200-300 miles to the east of them (so close to the horizon). I loaded up Stellarium, and found the sun there.”
He continued:
Follow The Black Vault on Social Media:Starlink Racetrack Flares are back!
Well, back last November.
The data: Looks like 2-3 apparently circling lights, 200-300 miles to the east at 1050Z, 2022-11-22, apparent (slant angle + distance eyenalling) FL740.
Points you at Starlinks, 40° above the sun, where they flare. https://t.co/Zs7PTDY2zy
— Mick West (@MickWest) January 18, 2023
