The O’Hare Saucer

On November 7, 2006, United Airlines employees at O’Hare International Airport observed a dark metallic disc hovering below the clouds over Gate C17. The object then shot upward at incredible speed, punching a visible hole through the overcast layer.

The Location

O’Hare International:

• Chicago, Illinois
• Major US hub
• Gate C17 area
• United Airlines terminal
• Busy afternoon

The Time

November 7, 2006:

• Around 4:15 PM
• Overcast conditions
• 1,900 foot ceiling
• Daylight
• Many witnesses

First Sighting

United ramp worker:

• Noticed object
• Called others
• Multiple employees gathered
• Direct observation
• Clear view

The Object

What they saw:

• Dark grey disc
• Metallic appearance
• About 6-24 feet diameter
• Rotating slowly
• No lights

Position

Location described:

• Below cloud layer
• Over Gate C17
• Stationary
• Clear outline
• Defined shape

The Witnesses

Multiple observers:

• United Airlines pilots
• Ramp workers
• Mechanics
• Management
• Independent viewers

The Departure

Remarkable exit:

• Shot straight up
• Enormous speed
• Punched through clouds
• Left visible hole
• Witnesses awed

The Hole

Cloud phenomenon:

• Clear circle
• Through overcast
• Visible briefly
• Then closed
• Multiple witnesses

FAA Response

Official position:

• No radar tracking
• Weather phenomenon
• No investigation
• Case closed
• Dismissive

United Airlines

Company response:

• Initially silent
• FOIA revealed reports
• Employees had reported
• Cover-up suspected
• Denied knowledge

Media Coverage

Chicago Tribune:

• Broke story
• Jon Hilkevitch
• Extensive coverage
• National attention
• Public interest surge

NARCAP Study

Aviation safety group:

• Investigated thoroughly
• Found credible
• Multiple witnesses
• Safety concern
• Published report

Witness Credibility

All observers:

• Aviation professionals
• Daily airport experience
• Know what aircraft look like
• Consistent accounts
• No hoax motive

Significance

Multiple aviation professionals witnessed UFO at major airport, with physical effect on clouds, yet officially dismissed.

Legacy

The O’Hare incident highlighted the gap between credible witnesses and official dismissal, becoming one of the most discussed UFO cases of the modern era.