Case study · CASE-073 · Military aircraft sensor recording
Mexican Air Force infrared video
DisputedDisputedWhere Campeche, MexicoWhen 2004-03-05
Case
- Overview
- A Mexican Air Force surveillance aircraft recorded 11 unidentified heat sources on infrared; three reportedly appeared on radar. The Defense Ministry (SEDENA) released the video in May 2004.
- Investigative phases
- SEDENA release; Mexican researchers' analyses
- Reported phenomena
- Lights on FLIR, some on radar
- Public evidence status
- Video public; radar data not released
- Alternative explanations / caveats
- Oil-platform flares (common explanation); weather balloons (claimed)
- Next research tasks
- Obtain SEDENA statement and radar records
- Last reviewed
- 2026-11-11
Assessment
- Event date
- 2004-03-05
- Source category
- Official video release
- Original data accessibility
- Partial
- Witness / instrument basis
- FLIR and radar
- Corroboration limitations
- Radar data not released
- Extraordinary claim assessment
- Likely oil-platform flares
- Current status
- Disputed
- Priority research task
- Obtain SEDENA records
- Lead source ID
- SRC-V86-39
- Last reviewed
- 2026-11-11
Evidence (1)
Documents gathered (1 line of evidence)
- Mexican Defense Ministry release of Air Force FLIR video of 11 heat sources Accounts / secondary only