Within Crashes vs Sightings
When a UAP Video Is Not a Crash
The Aguadilla thermal video shows how an unusual UAP recording can stay contested without becoming evidence of a recovered object.
On this page
- What the Aguadilla video appeared to show
- Why AARO disputed anomalous performance claims
- What would be needed to turn a sighting into a crash case
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Introduction
The 2013 Aguadilla video from Puerto Rico is often cited as one of the most intriguing modern UAP recordings because it appears to show an object moving rapidly, travelling near the ocean, and seemingly splitting into two. Yet the case is also a useful example of why a striking video does not automatically become evidence of a UFO crash or recovered craft. More than a decade after the event, investigators continue to debate what the infrared footage shows, but no verified wreckage, impact site, recovery operation, or physical artefact has emerged from the incident. As a result, Aguadilla sits firmly on the boundary between an unusual sighting and a crash claim. [AARO]aaro.milPuerto Rico UAP Case ResolutionAARO Puerto Rico UAP Case Resolution20 Mar 2025 — On April 26, 2013, an infrared (IR) sensor onboard a U.S. Customs and Border. Prote…
What the Aguadilla Video Appeared to Show
On 26 April 2013, an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. Customs and Border Protection aircraft recorded an unidentified object near Rafael Hernández Airport in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. The thermal footage attracted attention because viewers interpreted it as showing a low-flying object moving over land and water, apparently without obvious means of propulsion. Later portions of the video were widely described as depicting the object entering the ocean and then separating into two distinct objects. [AARO+2innovation.army.mil]aaro.milPuerto Rico UAP Case ResolutionAARO Puerto Rico UAP Case Resolution20 Mar 2025 — On April 26, 2013, an infrared (IR) sensor onboard a U.S. Customs and Border. Prote…
The case gained prominence because it was not based solely on eyewitness testimony. The recording came from a government aircraft using an infrared imaging system, and researchers outside government later conducted detailed frame-by-frame analyses. The Scientific Coalition for UAP Studies (SCU) argued that the event resisted ordinary explanations and deserved serious investigation. [The SCU]explorescu.org2013 aguadilla puerto rico uap incident report a detailed analysisThe SCU2013 Aguadilla Puerto Rico UAP Incident: A Detailed…May 23, 2024 — The Lianza paper argues that the unknown object in the 2013…
For UFO enthusiasts, Aguadilla became an example of a sensor-recorded event that appeared more compelling than a simple report of lights in the sky. The combination of a military-style imaging system, airport observations, and the apparent interaction with water created the impression of an event that might involve advanced technology. [The SCU]explorescu.org2013 aguadilla puerto rico uap incident report a detailed analysisThe SCU2013 Aguadilla Puerto Rico UAP Incident: A Detailed…May 23, 2024 — The Lianza paper argues that the unknown object in the 2013…
Why AARO Disputed Anomalous Performance Claims
The most significant development in the case came when the U.S. Department of Defense’s All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) published a formal resolution. AARO concluded with high confidence that the footage did not show extraordinary speeds, trans-medium travel, or an object splitting into separate craft. Instead, investigators argued that the apparent anomalies resulted from viewing geometry, infrared imagery limitations, and the motion of the observing aircraft. [AARO+2innovation.army.mil]aaro.milPuerto Rico UAP Case ResolutionAARO Puerto Rico UAP Case Resolution20 Mar 2025 — On April 26, 2013, an infrared (IR) sensor onboard a U.S. Customs and Border. Prote…
According to AARO’s reconstruction, the event is better explained as two nearby airborne objects moving along with the wind rather than a single craft performing extraordinary manoeuvres. The office reported that the objects travelled in a straight path at wind speed and never actually entered the water. What looked like water entry and re-emergence in the infrared footage was interpreted as an artefact of perspective and sensor tracking. [AARO+2innovation.army.mil]aaro.milPuerto Rico UAP Case ResolutionAARO Puerto Rico UAP Case Resolution20 Mar 2025 — On April 26, 2013, an infrared (IR) sensor onboard a U.S. Customs and Border. Prote…
This interpretation aligns with a broader body of sceptical analysis that has focused on parallax effects, camera motion, and infrared imaging ambiguities. Independent critics had argued for years that the video’s apparent speed and unusual behaviour could be exaggerated by the movement of the aircraft carrying the sensor. AARO’s reconstruction adopted a similar approach, although supporters of the anomalous interpretation continue to dispute aspects of the office’s conclusions. [Metabunk+2Skeptical Inquirer]metabunk.orgAguadilla Infrared Footage of 'UFOsAguadilla Infrared Footage of 'UFOs' - Probably Hot Air…26 Jul 2017 — Mick, this should be dead, but the promoters of this, th…
Importantly, even after the release of AARO’s findings, disagreement remained. The SCU publicly challenged parts of the government’s explanation and requested further technical clarification. The existence of that dispute illustrates a broader point: a video can remain controversial without providing evidence that anything physically crashed or was recovered. [The SCU]explorescu.orgThe SCUSCU Announcement on the AARO Investigation of…Apr 28, 2568 BE — SCU has submitted a series of technical questions to AARO regar…
Why the Case Never Became a Crash Investigation
The central issue for a crash claim is not whether an object looked unusual on camera. The key question is whether there is evidence that a physical object struck land or water and left a traceable aftermath.
In Aguadilla, no publicly documented recovery operation followed the event. There is no verified debris field, no chain of custody for recovered materials, no confirmed impact location, and no laboratory analysis of physical fragments connected to the incident. The discussion revolves almost entirely around interpretation of the video itself. [AARO]aaro.milPuerto Rico UAP Case ResolutionAARO Puerto Rico UAP Case Resolution20 Mar 2025 — On April 26, 2013, an infrared (IR) sensor onboard a U.S. Customs and Border. Prote…
This distinction matters because even if one rejects AARO’s explanation, the case still lacks the evidential features normally associated with a crash:
- No authenticated wreckage.
- No confirmed search-and-recovery effort tied to a downed object.
- No physical samples available for testing.
- No documented impact damage on land.
- No verified underwater recovery of unusual material. [AARO]aaro.milPuerto Rico UAP Case ResolutionAARO Puerto Rico UAP Case Resolution20 Mar 2025 — On April 26, 2013, an infrared (IR) sensor onboard a U.S. Customs and Border. Prote…
The absence of these elements means Aguadilla remains a sighting case rather than a crash case. The debate concerns what observers saw, not what investigators recovered.
What Would Be Needed to Turn a Sighting Into a Crash Case
Aguadilla demonstrates how even a highly discussed UAP recording can fall short of the evidential threshold required for a crash claim.
For the incident to move into the category of a genuine crash investigation, researchers would need evidence extending beyond the video. Examples would include a confirmed impact site, sonar data showing a submerged object, documented recovery operations, recovered materials with a verifiable chain of custody, or laboratory findings that could be independently examined. Without such evidence, the event remains an argument about imagery rather than a documented crash. [AARO]aaro.milPuerto Rico UAP Case ResolutionAARO Puerto Rico UAP Case Resolution20 Mar 2025 — On April 26, 2013, an infrared (IR) sensor onboard a U.S. Customs and Border. Prote…
The case therefore occupies an important place in discussions of UFO crashes. It shows that sophisticated sensors can produce footage that appears extraordinary and can remain contested for years. Yet even a contested and instrumented UAP event does not automatically support claims of a recovered craft. The gap between an unexplained video and a crash recovery is much larger than many discussions of UFOs assume, and Aguadilla illustrates that gap particularly well. [AARO+2scientificamerican.com]aaro.milPuerto Rico UAP Case ResolutionAARO Puerto Rico UAP Case Resolution20 Mar 2025 — On April 26, 2013, an infrared (IR) sensor onboard a U.S. Customs and Border. Prote…
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Further Reading
Books and field guides related to When a UAP Video Is Not a Crash. Use these as the next step if you want deeper reading beyond the article.
In Plain Sight: an Investigation Into UFOs and Impossible Sci...
Fits readers interested in contemporary UAP videos, official investigations, and contested interpretations.
The UFO Experience
Useful for distinguishing sightings, instrument cases, and stronger claims requiring better evidence.
UFOs
Matches the page’s focus on government-sourced observations and the gap between anomaly and proof.
American Cosmic
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Endnotes
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Source: aaro.mil
Title: Puerto Rico UAP Case Resolution
Link: https://www.aaro.mil/Portals/136/PDFs/case_resolution_reports/AARO_Puerto_Rico_UAP_Case_Resolution.pdfSource snippet
AARO Puerto Rico UAP Case Resolution20 Mar 2025 — On April 26, 2013, an infrared (IR) sensor onboard a U.S. Customs and Border. Prote...
Published: April 26, 2013
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Source: innovation.army.mil
Title: Puerto Rico Objects
Link: https://innovation.army.mil/Test-Page/?dvpTag=aaro&dvpmoduleid=93238&videoid=944204Source snippet
Rico Objects - Test Page - U.S. ArmyApr 26, 2013 — The footage appears to depict a UAP moving at high speed, splitting into two objects...
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Source: metabunk.org
Title: Aguadilla Infrared Footage of ‘UFOs’
Link: https://www.metabunk.org/threads/aguadilla-infrared-footage-of-ufos-probably-hot-air-wedding-lanterns.8952/Source snippet
Aguadilla Infrared Footage of 'UFOs' - Probably Hot Air...26 Jul 2017 — Mick, this should be dead, but the promoters of this, th...
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Source: aaro.mil
Link: https://www.aaro.mil/UAP-Cases/UAP-Case-Resolution-Reports/Source snippet
UAP Case Resolution ReportsPuerto Rico Case Resolution. On April 26, 2013, an infrared sensor onboard a U.S. Customs and Border Protectio...
Published: April 26, 2013
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Source: avi-loeb.medium.com
Title: Exotic or Mundane?
Link: https://avi-loeb.medium.com/exotic-or-mundane-dfd9f0b92bcaSource snippet
or Mundane? - Avi Loeb - Medium” Kosloski mentioned a UAP observed in 2013 near Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. The infrared video from a U.S. Cu...
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Source: scientificamerican.com
Title: The U.S
Link: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-u-s-governments-top-ufo-scientist-has-an-open-mind-about-alien/Source snippet
Government's Top UFO Scientist Has an Open...25 Mar 2025 —... Aguadilla, Puerto Rico on April 26, 2013. In the full footage, the UAP se...
Published: April 26, 2013
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Source: aaro.mil
Link: https://www.aaro.mil/UAP-Cases/Official-UAP-Imagery/Source snippet
UAP ImageryEtna Case Resolution. Puerto Rico Object, Puerto Rico Object Video, On April 26, 2013, an infrared sensor onboard a U.S. Custo...
Published: April 26, 2013
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Source: explorescu.org
Title: 2013 aguadilla puerto rico uap incident report a detailed analysis
Link: https://www.explorescu.org/post/2013-aguadilla-puerto-rico-uap-incident-report-a-detailed-analysisSource snippet
The SCU2013 Aguadilla Puerto Rico UAP Incident: A Detailed...May 23, 2024 — The Lianza paper argues that the unknown object in the 2013...
Published: May 23, 2024
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Source: dvidshub.net
Link: https://www.dvidshub.net/video/955936/2013-puerto-rico-object-reconstructionSource snippet
Video - 2013 Puerto Rico Object ReconstructionThis video shows a Systems Toolkit digital reconstruction of "The Puerto Rico Object" unide...
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Source: skepticalinquirer.org
Link: https://skepticalinquirer.org/2024/12/quick-guide-to-modern-video-analysis-techniques-for-uap-and-ufos/Source snippet
Quick Guide to Modern Video Analysis Techniques for UAP...Quick Guide to Modern Video Analysis Techniques for UAP (and UFOs). Mick West...
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Source: explorescu.org
Link: https://www.explorescu.org/post/scu-announcement-on-the-aaro-investigation-of-the-aguadilla-videoSource snippet
The SCUSCU Announcement on the AARO Investigation of...Apr 28, 2568 BE — SCU has submitted a series of technical questions to AARO regar...
Additional References
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Source: safie.hq.af.mil
Link: https://www.safie.hq.af.mil/News/Video/mod/61713/player/0/video/955936/RicoSource snippet
reconstruction demonstrates that the objects traveled in a straight line at wind speed over land. On April 26, 2013, an infrared sensor...
Published: April 26, 2013
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Source: youtube.com
Link: https://www.youtube.com/post/Ugkxr_XP_iwe2uFeFl6WHXaA3SzHCV9n8RTMSource snippet
3 years agoMick West · 3 years ago. Lines of sight analysis of the Aguadilla UFO (and others). This is a talk I gave at the Limina Sympos...
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Source: newsflare.com
Link: https://www.newsflare.com/video/697248/ufo-seen-flying-over-puerto-rico-was-not-extraterrestrial-claims-us-intelligenceSource snippet
April 26, 2013, with the footage recently analysed and clarified by the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO)...
Published: April 26, 2013
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Source: defensescoop.com
Title: uap aaro findings go fast puerto rico mt etna objects
Link: https://defensescoop.com/2024/11/19/uap-aaro-findings-go-fast-puerto-rico-mt-etna-objects/Source snippet
Pentagon's UAP office reviews findings on Go Fast, Puerto...Nov 19, 2024 — The head of the Defense Department's All-Domain Anomaly Resol...
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Source: krone.at
Link: https://www.krone.at/3600104Source snippet
Mysterious object over Puerto Rico was not a UFONov 21, 2567 BE — The incident was assessed as a potential UFO sighting at the end of Apr...
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Source: theguardian.com
Title: I study UFOs – and I don’t believe the alien hype
Link: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jun/11/i-study-ufos-and-i-dont-believe-the-alien-hype-heres-whySource snippet
Here's why11 Jun 2021 — UFO enthusiasts claim that there's amazing evidence of UAPs, representing something incredible, and that a specia...
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Source: facebook.com
Link: https://www.facebook.com/SpaceLaneInfo/posts/for-decades-ufo-sightings-have-been-dismissed-as-either-misidentified-phenomena-/960260783636964/Source snippet
perceived rotation is not the object's movement but an optical...Read more...
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Source: reddit.com
Title: the 2013 aguadilla ufo incident portrayed as
Link: https://www.reddit.com/r/ufo/comments/1pbjynd/the_2013_aguadilla_ufo_incident_portrayed_as/Source snippet
authentic in...In 2013, an airborne U.S. Customs and Border Protection aircraft captured a UAP on infrared video. It flew directly acros...
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Source: reddit.com
Title: one of the strangest and most compelling uap
Link: https://www.reddit.com/r/HighStrangeness/comments/108mpe6/one_of_the_strangest_and_most_compelling_uap/Source snippet
2013, an airborne U.S. Customs and Border Protection aircraft captured a UAP on infrared video. It flew directly across the...
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Source: facebook.com
Link: https://www.facebook.com/NewsNationNow/posts/ross-coulthart-sits-down-with-darcy-weir-and-david-falch-as-they-dive-into-the-2/779473011126385/Source snippet
e 2013 Aguadilla UFO sighting in Puerto Rico and discuss AARO's...
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