The pilots of a China Airlines flight have reported seeing a man in a jet pack close to the flight approach into Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) – the sighting comes nearly a month and a half after multiple pilots reported: “a guy in a jet pack” flying close to aircraft that were making the final approach into LAX.
Investigators were unable to track down the mystery jet pack flyer in September and so far law enforcement hasn’t come any closer to finding the suspect. It’s not even known whether it’s the same suspect who was spotted by the China Airlines pilots this week.
China Airlines flight CI006 from Taiwan was on approach to LAX when the pilots of the Boeing 777 reported seeing the jet pack to air traffic control at around 1:45 pm on Wednesday. A police helicopter was almost immediately alerted to the sighting but despite a search of the area, law enforcement failed to spot the jet pack for themselves.
In a statement, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the sighting, saying: “A China Airlines crew reported seeing what appeared to be someone in a jet pack at an approximate altitude of 6,000 feet, about seven miles northwest of Los Angeles International Airport.
“The FAA alerted local law enforcement and will look into the report,” the statement continued.
A transcript obtained by The Drive of the radio communication between the China Airlines pilots and air traffic control reveals that the flight crew initially reported seeing a bright object.
“We just saw a bright object at 6,000,” the pilots tell ATC. When prompted to clarify the sighting the pilot continued: “We saw a flying object like a flight suit jetpack at 6,000.”
Air traffic control asks for further clarification, asking whether it could a drone. The pilots insist its a jet pack. “Like a jetpack. Too shiny. It’s too far,” the transcript reads.
Air traffic was temporarily rerouted around the area while a police helicopter is sent in to investigate. Eventually, though, air traffic was sent back into the area without any further sightings. The FBI continues to investigate.
