Chilean Navy helicopter infrared encounter (November 11, 2014)

Case

Overview

Chilean Navy helicopter crew filmed a distant airborne object using an infrared camera. Chilean CEFAA investigators publicized the recording as unidentified; later independent analyses proposed a conventional airliner and contrail explanation. Identification remains debated.

Investigative phases

November 11 2014 helicopter flight and infrared recording; CEFAA inquiry and 2017 publicity; subsequent aircraft/flight-path analyses.

Reported phenomena

Distant thermal target and two plume-like emissions interpreted by some as unexplained discharges.

Public evidence status

Publicly released infrared footage and investigator descriptions; original full-resolution sensor metadata and definitive aircraft identification need verification.

Alternative explanations / caveats

Commercial aircraft with contrails (including proposed Iberia IB6830 identification); perspective, atmospheric conditions and infrared imaging may explain appearance. Do not equate initial unidentified status with nonhuman origin.

Next research tasks

Obtain CEFAA primary report and raw recording, helicopter telemetry and camera specifications, contemporaneous flight schedules and weather; independently verify named crew members and proposed flight identification.

Last reviewed

2026-11-05

Assessment

Not yet in the Case Assessment Matrix.

Evidence (5)

• Chilean Navy helicopter infrared recording of distant object and apparent plume emissions Claim unverified
  CE-172 · 2014-11-11 · Military infrared video
  Gaps: Range, geometry, camera processing and missing telemetry limit inference
• Analysts proposed a commercial airliner and contrails rather than anomalous emissions Disputed
  CE-173 · 2017 onward · Independent competing reconstruction
  Gaps: Aircraft route, atmospheric conditions and perspective must be independently reconstructed
• CEFAA interview with the AS-532 helicopter crew Reported
  CE-V99-143 · 2015-04-24 · Foreign government record
  Gaps: Independent analyses identified a commercial airliner and contrail.
• Reported pilot witness to distant infrared target during Chilean Navy helicopter mission UnverifiedFirsthand
  E118 · 2014-11-11 · Reported firsthand aviator observation
• Reported infrared camera operator recorded distant object during helicopter mission DisputedFirsthand
  E119 · 2014-11-11 · Reported firsthand sensor observation

Documents gathered (5 lines of evidence)

0 readable here · 5 with a linked primary record · 0 still need a document · All cases on the evidence map

• Chilean Navy helicopter infrared recording of distant object and apparent plume emissions Primary record linked
  CE-172 · Chilean Navy helicopter UAP investigation and infrared footage
• Analysts proposed a commercial airliner and contrails rather than anomalous emissions Primary record linked
  CE-173 · Chilean Navy 2014 footage — proposed commercial-aircraft explanation; DGAC radar replay 'Track de vuelo ACOUGAR', 11 November 2014, 16:48-17:01 UTC; Analysis of the Chilean Navy helicopter video (Antoine Cousyn, François Louange, Geoff Quick), 26 November 2015, filed by CEFAA as 'Informe GEIPAN'
• CEFAA interview with the AS-532 helicopter crew Primary record linked
  CE-V99-143 · CEFAA interview report with the Chilean Navy AS-532 crew (24 April 2015)
• Reported pilot witness to distant infrared target during Chilean Navy helicopter mission Primary record linked
  E118 · CEFAA, 'Informe entrevista caso Armada de Chile': crew interview at Base Aeronaval Concón, 24 April 2015
• Reported infrared camera operator recorded distant object during helicopter mission Primary record linked
  E119 · CEFAA, 'Informe entrevista caso Armada de Chile': crew interview at Base Aeronaval Concón, 24 April 2015

On the timeline (1)

• 2014-11-11 Chilean Navy helicopter crew recorded distant thermal target and apparent plumes; CEFAA initially classified it unidentified Disputed
  Public footage; later aircraft/contrail interpretation contested