3,500 foot UFO hovered beside private jet over Rhode Island

A pilot flying a private plane over Rhode Island reported a strange object hovering beside his aircraft, according to air traffic control audio shared publicly in October. The pilot was at about 3,500 feet near Rhode Island T F Green International Airport when he radioed controllers about a small silver cylinder near his right wing tip. “It appears to be standing still,” the pilot told air traffic control. “Looks like a strange, small object that we just floated by. A small silver canister.” Controllers told the pilot there were no other reports in the area and asked if it could be a drone or balloon. The pilot replied, “I saw nothing attached to it. It was astonishing.” The object reportedly flew alongside the Piper PA 32RT 300T Turbo Lance II before disappearing from view. Other pilots monitoring the frequency chimed in, with one saying, “I want to believe him.” As the exchange wrapped up, a controller summed up the mood with dry humor, wishing the pilot, “Good luck with the aliens,” before returning to routine traffic.