American Airlines Flight 2292 report

Case

Overview

The pilot radioed air traffic control that a long, cylindrical object passed over the aircraft. American Airlines confirmed the transmission; the FBI declined to confirm an investigation; the FAA said no object was on its radar.

Investigative phases

FAA and FBI statements; FOIA requests

Reported phenomena

Long cylindrical object passing overhead at speed

Public evidence status

Radio recording public; FAA records limited

Alternative explanations / caveats

Missile test, drone or balloon proposed; unresolved

Next research tasks

FOIA FAA and FBI records

Last reviewed

2026-11-11

Assessment

Event date

2021-02-21

Source category

Radio recording; official statements

Original data accessibility

Partial

Witness / instrument basis

Pilot

Corroboration limitations

No radar detection

Extraordinary claim assessment

Unresolved

Current status

Open

Priority research task

FOIA FAA and FBI

Lead source ID

SRC-V86-45

Last reviewed

2026-11-11

Evidence (1)

• Pilot radio call; airline confirmation; FBI and FAA statements Claim unverified
  CE-V86-29 · 2021-02-21 · Radio recording / official statements
  Gaps: FAA withheld further records

Documents gathered (1 line of evidence)

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

• Pilot radio call; airline confirmation; FBI and FAA statements Readable here
  CE-V86-29 · FAA releases statement on airliner's encounter with unidentified object over New Mexico; FAA FOIA 2021-002114: records on American Airlines flight 2292 (21 February 2021) (read here); FBI FOIPA 1490770-000: American Airlines Flight 2292 (read here)