Mysterious Triangle Aircraft Filmed Over Secret Nevada Military Base
A self-described explorer and videographer has captured compelling footage of a mysterious, triangle-shaped aircraft flying over the top secret US military installation known as Area 51. The incident occurred in the early hours of January 14th, adding fresh fuel to decades of speculation surrounding the infamous Nevada facility.
Explorer's Nighttime Sighting in the Desert
Anders Otteson, a backpacker and YouTuber behind the Uncanny Expeditions channel, was documenting his trip in the Tikaboo Valley of the Nevada desert. He was camping on public land near Groom Lake Road, which overlooks Area 51's restricted airspace and front gate area. At approximately 3am local time, Otteson observed and filmed an unidentified craft performing a low flyover from the northwest, passing directly over his position.
Otteson described the aircraft as having a distinct 'equilateral triangle' shape, which UFO researchers have colloquially dubbed the 'Dorito.' He noted that its flight path was consistent with a low-altitude pass, similar to other military aircraft operating in the region, though he could not determine its exact heading.
Contrast with Known Stealth Aircraft
Interestingly, Otteson had already filmed what appeared to be a B-2 Spirit stealth bomber flying over the same area about two hours earlier. He highlighted crucial differences between the two craft. While the B-2 features a similar V-wing design, the mysterious 'Dorito' aircraft possessed a drastically different body structure.
The triangle-shaped craft exhibited a noticeably flatter trailing edge, lacked visible wings, and did not have the jagged rear section characteristic of the known stealth bomber. This has led to questions about whether the sighting represents a classified test flight or a routine training mission over the Nevada Test and Training Range, where Area 51 is located.
History of Similar Sightings and Bizarre Radio Traffic
This is not the first appearance of the so-called 'Dorito' aircraft. Photographers captured similar triangle-shaped objects on camera twice in 2014—once in Wichita, Kansas, and again in Amarillo, Texas. Both instances showed craft that looked nothing like known US Air Force planes or drones.
Adding to the intrigue, a scanner monitoring Area 51's unencrypted radio frequencies picked up a bizarre transmission during the incident. Instead of standard military jargon, personnel used code words themed around beer, food, and snacks. Phrases included 'pretzel snack,' 'corona pretzel snacks zero with cheese,' 'profile Michelob,' 'Imperial with garlic,' and 'fridge hydrate.'
Area 51's Legacy and Ongoing UFO Reports
Area 51 has been involved in the development and testing of revolutionary aircraft for decades, including the F-117 Nighthawk, America's first stealth bomber. The facility, encompassing over 2.9 million acres, has been linked to UFO sightings since the 1950s.
The latest sighting adds to recent reports of triangle-shaped objects observed over Southern California and Death Valley. According to the National UFO Reporting Center, there have been 10 UFO sightings across the US in January alone that mention a triangle-shaped object. Notably, most other reports describe crafts with bright or flashing lights, unlike the 'Dorito' seen over Area 51.
Globally, there have been 85 reports of triangle-shaped UFOs since November 2025, including incidents in the UK, Canada, Germany, and Brazil. While the familiar flight path and military code words suggest the craft over Area 51 is likely manmade, triangle-shaped UFOs remain a frequent and unexplained phenomenon reported by witnesses across the United States and beyond.
