Kings County, CA: Pilot sees cylindrical UAP under wing
A US military pilot on a classified Homeland Security mission over Kings County, California, reported a gray cylindrical object passing 10 feet below his aircraft at 20,000 feet, moving eastward at estimated Mach 2 speed. Radar tracked it 60 miles away shortly after.
Background
Event Details
On September 17, 2024, at approximately 2:30 p.m., pilot Troy21 flew a Beechcraft Super King Air 350C on a classified Homeland Security drug interdiction mission at 20,000 feet over Kings County, California. He observed a gray, cylindrical object, football-sized, pass directly beneath his right wing, about 10 feet below, heading east.
Witness Account and Evidence
The pilot immediately contacted Los Angeles Air Traffic Control, describing the close pass and noting his sensor operator searched for it via camera. Onboard radar later detected the object roughly 60 miles distant after just 2 minutes, implying speeds near Mach 2. Audio recordings leaked to media outlets captured the exchange, including phrases like 'This is going to sound weird' and details of the object's dark gray appearance.
Significance
This military encounter adds to reports of high-speed UAP near controlled airspace, with radar corroboration distinguishing it from birds or balloons. Reports filed to National UFO Reporting Center (NUFORC case 183084); covered by NewsNation and New York Post in 2025.