1996-02-27 - Detroit, MI - Light

I was a commuter airline pilot at the time (co-pilot). We were flying from Pittsburg, PA to Saginaw, michigan at an altitude of 16,000 ft in a Beech 1900D turboprop. We saw a bright light at our altitude over detroit. We asked Cleveland Center (Air Traffic Control) if they had any traffic. They did not. We were heading northwest bound (~ 330 heading). Light persisted for approx 20 min until we descended for landing in Saginaw. Distance was difficult to tell at night. I know that two other aircraft saw the light, and one of them took a photograph (which was eventually on a web site). I was curious if you have this event on file and whether it was ever explained (flare for ex.). I would like this report to remain confidential but would appreciate further info; please do not release my name.

((NUFORC Note: We have spoken with the witness, and find him to be a quite credible witness. We have also spoken with the pilot of the aircraft, and we have the audio of the radio communication with the FAA. A photograph was taken from a second aircraft, and is in the hands of a journalist. He wrote an article about the incident, but when he submitted the article to his editor, he was told that the newspaper did not print articles about UFO's. PD))