It was just after dusk near Willow Run Airport in Ypsilanti, Michigan, when I noticed an unusual bright orange light flickering like a flame in the sky. At first, I assumed it was something mundane—a helium balloon set loose with something burning beneath it—but as I followed its path, everything about it seemed off. The light moved steadily north-northeast, ascending quietly and consistently for about five minutes, before it disappeared into the clouds.
Unlike typical aircraft ascending near an airport, where you expect to hear engine noise or see standard navigation lights, this radiant object made no sound and no navigation strobes were visible—only that intense orange flicker. The sky was still; no wind moved the clouds or trees. The object’s direction toward the airport was unusual since most planes ascend and head away or descend on an approach, never silently climbing like this without any audible sign.
I contacted the local police to report the sighting, as well as the airport’s emergency dispatch, worried it might be a plane in distress. Both were unaware of any emergencies or unusual activity at the time. The mystery remains. What could this bright, flame-like, silent light have been, steadily climbing without any conventional aircraft signs? For those fascinated by unexplained aerial phenomena, this incident raises more questions than answers, echoing the timeless allure of unknown lights in the midnight sky.