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An air carrier at FL340 near ted in zan airspace flew with half a mile and 200 feet of a very large balloon with a large device suspended beneath it.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 1124798 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201310 |
| Local Time Of Day | 0601-1200 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | ZAN.ARTCC |
| State Reference | AK |
| Environment | |
| Flight Conditions | VMC |
| Light | Daylight |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | Widebody Low Wing 2 Turbojet Eng |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 121 |
| Flight Phase | Cruise |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Pilot Flying First Officer |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | Inflight Event / Encounter Object |
Narrative:
I was the pilot flying. Level at fl 340 nearing the ted VOR (anc) when the pilot monitoring and I noticed a large white balloon at out 2 o'clock position within 1/2 mile laterally from us on our right and what appeared to be about 200 feet above us. The balloon was very large similar to a weather balloon with a large device suspended below it about 20 feet. The suspended device was attached via three connections and was viewed with enough detail that the size was rather large. It could have been closer; but at 450 knots ground speed it all happens rather quickly. Can't image what would occur if that we would have made contact. A report to ATC was made via VHF radio call to the controller. Transponders should be affixed to these devices when there are in the upper airway structure so that ATC can maneuver aircraft around them.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: An air carrier at FL340 near TED in ZAN airspace flew with half a mile and 200 feet of a very large balloon with a large device suspended beneath it.
Narrative: I was the Pilot Flying. Level at FL 340 nearing the TED VOR (ANC) when the Pilot Monitoring and I noticed a large white balloon at out 2 o'clock position within 1/2 mile laterally from us on our right and what appeared to be about 200 feet above us. The balloon was very large similar to a weather balloon with a large device suspended below it about 20 feet. The suspended device was attached via three connections and was viewed with enough detail that the size was rather large. It could have been closer; but at 450 knots ground speed it all happens rather quickly. Can't image what would occur if that we would have made contact. A report to ATC was made via VHF radio call to the Controller. Transponders should be affixed to these devices when there are in the upper airway structure so that ATC can maneuver aircraft around them.
Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.