The Hangzhou Airport Closure
One summer evening, a glowing object over Hangzhou's airport forced it to close for an hour, and diverted flights across China.
What was reported
At about 8:30 pm on 7 July 2010, a bright, twinkling object was reported over Hangzhou in eastern China. Shortly afterwards, Xiaoshan International Airport closed its airspace for nearly an hour after the object was spotted near the flight path. Flights were diverted and delayed, affecting more than 2,000 passengers.
Photographs taken by residents that evening showed a glowing shape with a comet-like tail, and the event was widely reported in the Chinese media.
Explanations offered
Officials did not give a clear explanation. A source told the state newspaper China Daily that the object had a military connection, and other suggestions include a private plane, sunlight reflecting off a high aircraft after sunset, and long-exposure photos of a helicopter's searchlight.
- When
- 7 July 2010
- Where
- Xiaoshan International Airport, Hangzhou, China
- Witnesses
- Air traffic staff and residents
- Status
- Disputed
Famous cases are real, widely reported events. Each file sets out what witnesses said and the explanations that have been offered, without taking a side.