Utah Residents Puzzled Over UFO-Type Object

Many residents living near Salt Lake City, Utah were puzzled about a mysterious "unidentified flying object" hovering over areas of downtown Salt Lake City. The object was silver in color and appeared to be more than 100 feet in length.

Residents reported that they were troubled as to what the object could be. Some thought it might be government, or even terrorist, related. For those who believe in the reality of alien life, this had to be quite an exciting moment. The object eventually crashed east of Salt Lake City in a parking lot. When the crashed flyer was discovered, however, there were no aliens on board. It proved to be a large balloon-like structure that was actually only about 30 feet in length.

Salt Lake City Police later approached Daniel Geery, who revealed to be the owner and developer of the object. It was not a UFO, but rather what Geery calls a "hyper blimp." Geery has actually developed more than 600 of these types of flying objects. He reported that he was experimenting with a new type of battery power pack on the mysterious flyer. Geery was able to control the operation of the "hyper blimp" by remote control. Unfortunately for Geery, this pack lost power while the blimp was in the air. Geery lost control of the aircraft, and it eventually floated its way to downtown Salt Lake City and created quite a stir among residents.

Reports of a possible UFO sighting to air traffic control followed. Air traffic control did not pick up the object on their radar, and were equally puzzled as to what the object could be. After discovering the reality of the object, air traffic control stated that they would investigate as to whether any air traffic regulations were violated. Authorities stated that Geery should be held responsible if anyone was endangered by his malfunctioning blimp.

According to KUTV, Sgt. Rich Brady of the Salt Lake City Police Department said, "If something like this is going to put the public in jeopardy, then certainly we are going to pursue [charges]." Air traffic control, however, is unsure about whether or not they will press charges.

The composition of the hyper blimp makes it doubtful that it would have caused any individual person harm. I have been in contact with large blimp like objects at professional sporting events for example, and they are actually quite easy to move when fully inflated. Also, a picture from KUTV shows one man picking the object up and resting it against his hip. Geery also stated that the entire blimp, when deflated, can fit into a suitcase. So, I would conclude that the object would not have caused anyone any immediate physical harm. It seems the blimp was more of a distraction than anything else.

The excitement about a possible UFO in Salt Lake City can be put to rest. Daniel Geery has come forward, and his invention has received some widespread publicity.

Sources:

KUTV, http://kutv.com/topstories/local_story_164122850.html

The Salt Lake Tribune, http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_6131226