While soaring over Rhode Island, the pilot of a private jet encountered a startling phenomenon, adding another chapter to the ongoing saga of mysterious aerial sightings that perplex both specialists and the general public.

In a video that recently gained attention on YouTube, shared by the VASAviation channel in October, viewers can witness the perplexing moment the pilot communicated with the team at Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport. He reported an unusual sighting: a small, silver cylinder seemingly suspended in mid-air close to the wing of his jet, describing it to Air Traffic Control (ATC) as “appearing stationary.”

In the recording, the pilot expressed, “We just passed by an odd, small object—a silver canister. Any idea what that might be?”

At about 3,500 feet above Rhode Island, the private jet’s pilot noticed the enigmatic silver object hovering nearby, as captured in an ATC recording released by VASAviation. (iStock)

ATC responded by informing the pilot that there were no other reported sightings of such an object in the vicinity. They inquired whether it might have been a drone or balloon.

The pilot replied, noting, “I saw nothing connected to it. It was just hovering there, quite astonishing. I have no idea what it was.”

The object was reportedly seen floating near the right wing tip of the Piper PA-32RT-300T Turbo Lance II at an altitude of 3,500 feet, before flying alongside the aircraft and later disappearing from view. 

ATC can be heard wishing the pilot, “Good luck with the aliens,” in the recording, shared by VASAviation. (iStock)

“Creepy,” the ground team can be heard saying on the radio, with ATC joking, “Good luck with the aliens.”

Other pilots quickly took to the radio to join in on the mystery, as one added, “I want to believe him.” 

One potential explanation for the mysterious object could be that it is a weather balloon, which can often carry cylindrical payloads and hover at high altitudes, according to the Daily Mail.  (iStock)

“The FAA documents UAP sightings whenever a pilot reports one to an air traffic control facility,” the FAA said in a statement to Fox News Digital. “If supporting information such as radar data corroborates the report, the FAA shares it with the UAP Task Force.” 

“Multiple U.S. government agencies have individual programs or processes to study and document UAP. However, the agencies also work collaboratively on the topic.”