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What Does the Official Baffin Report Prove?

The official entry confirms a genuine aviation report, but it does not identify the light or amount to a completed investigation.

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On this page

  • What CADORS recorded about the flight
  • What the CIRVIS and UFO category means
  • Why an occurrence report is not a final finding
Preview for What Does the Official Baffin Report Prove?

Introduction

The strongest piece of evidence in the Baffin Island pilot sighting is not the unidentified light itself but the fact that it entered Canada’s official aviation reporting system. The Civil Aviation Daily Occurrence Reporting System (CADORS) confirms that a real aviation occurrence was reported by a commercial flight crew after a 24 November 2018 flight towards the Mary River mine in northern Baffin Island. It provides an authenticated administrative record with a date, location, flight context and reporting chain. What it does not do is identify the object or conclude that the crew encountered an extraordinary phenomenon. Contemporary statements from Transport Canada explicitly described the information as preliminary and subject to change, while the occurrence itself was recorded as having no operational impact on the flight.[Nunatsiaq News]nunatsiaq.comNews Pilots report UFO sighting over Nunavut’s northern Baffin IslandNunatsiaq NewsPilots report UFO sighting over Nunavut’s northern Baffin IslandNovember 27, 2018…Published: November 27, 2018

CADORS Record illustration 1

Understanding that distinction is essential when assessing the incident. The CADORS entry demonstrates that aviation authorities considered the report significant enough to log and circulate. It does not amount to a completed investigation or official endorsement of any explanation.

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What CADORS recorded about the flight

CADORS is Transport Canada’s Civil Aviation Daily Occurrence Reporting System, a database used to record aviation occurrences reported by pilots, airlines, airports and air traffic services. Its purpose is to share operational safety information quickly rather than publish definitive investigation findings.

For the Baffin Island event, the record establishes several important facts:

  • a Nolinor Aviation Boeing 737-200 crew reported an unusual light while approaching the Mary River mine;
  • the occurrence happened on 24 November 2018 at about 8:30 p.m. local time;
  • the report was entered into the Canadian civil aviation reporting system;
  • the occurrence was categorised under a reporting code that included weather balloons, meteors, rockets and CIRVIS/UFO;
  • NORAD was notified through established reporting channels; and
  • the flight experienced “no impact to operations.”[Nunatsiaq News]nunatsiaq.comNews Pilots report UFO sighting over Nunavut’s northern Baffin IslandNunatsiaq NewsPilots report UFO sighting over Nunavut’s northern Baffin IslandNovember 27, 2018…Published: November 27, 2018

These points are valuable because they come from an official operational record rather than later retellings. They verify that the event was reported promptly within Canada’s aviation system instead of emerging years later through hearsay or folklore.

Just as importantly, the record is brief. It contains no detailed witness interview, no analysis of astronomical conditions, no radar assessment, no reconstruction of the light’s movement and no final identification.

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What the CIRVIS and UFO category means

One of the most misunderstood parts of the CADORS entry is its reference to CIRVIS/UFO.

CIRVIS stands for Communications Instructions for Reporting Vital Intelligence Sightings, a long-standing North American reporting procedure originating in Cold War military reporting guidance. Under these procedures, pilots are expected to report unusual aerial observations that could conceivably have defence or aviation significance. Historically, the reporting categories covered a wide range of observations, including unidentified aircraft, missiles, unusual vessels and unidentified flying objects.[Uforum]uforum.blogspot.comUforum Ufology Research: Nothing too baffling at Baffin Island [UPDATEDUfology Research: Nothing too baffling at Baffin Island [UPDATED December 7, 2018]December 3, 2018…Published: December 7, 2018

Within CADORS, however, CIRVIS/UFO is simply one occurrence category among several. The same category also encompasses possible weather balloons, meteors and rockets. It functions as a routing and classification label rather than an assessment that an unidentified object has been confirmed.[Nunatsiaq News]nunatsiaq.comNews Pilots report UFO sighting over Nunavut’s northern Baffin IslandNunatsiaq NewsPilots report UFO sighting over Nunavut’s northern Baffin IslandNovember 27, 2018…Published: November 27, 2018

Transport Canada has subsequently clarified this broader usage, noting that “UFO” entries in CADORS may involve drones, balloons, meteors, weather phenomena or birds as well as genuinely unidentified observations. The classification exists to ensure reports are captured, not to imply an exotic explanation.[Transport Canada]tc.canada.caTransport Canada4. High Altitude Object IncidentsTransport Canada4. High Altitude Object Incidents

CADORS Record illustration 2

Why an occurrence report is not a final finding

Readers often assume that an official database entry represents the outcome of an investigation. CADORS works differently.

The system is designed to distribute operational information rapidly. Entries are often created soon after an occurrence is reported so that relevant aviation organisations are aware of potential hazards. They are not equivalent to a completed accident investigation or technical report.

That distinction was made explicitly in the aftermath of the Baffin Island sighting. Transport Canada stated that the information in the occurrence record should be treated as preliminary, unsubstantiated and subject to change, and that any follow-up depends on the nature of the reported event.[Nunatsiaq News]nunatsiaq.comNews Pilots report UFO sighting over Nunavut’s northern Baffin IslandNunatsiaq NewsPilots report UFO sighting over Nunavut’s northern Baffin IslandNovember 27, 2018…Published: November 27, 2018

As a result, the CADORS record does not answer questions such as:

  • what the light actually was;
  • whether radar detected a corresponding object;
  • whether weather or astronomical analysis explained it;
  • whether investigators interviewed the crew in depth; or
  • whether later evidence strengthened or weakened any proposed explanation.

Those questions require evidence outside the occurrence database.

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What the record really proves—and what it does not

The Baffin Island CADORS entry has genuine evidential value, but its significance is narrower than many online discussions suggest.

It supports several conclusions with confidence:

  • the crew genuinely reported an unusual aerial observation;
  • the report entered Canada’s official civil aviation reporting system;[tc.canada.ca]tc.canada.caca Civil Aviation Daily Occurrence Reporting System (CADORS) ManualAviation Daily Occurrence Reporting System (CADORS) Manual - TP 4044September 5, 2025 — CIVIL AVIATION DAILY OCCURRENCE REPORTING SYSTEM…Published: September 5, 2025
  • aviation authorities processed it through established procedures;
  • NORAD was informed; and
  • the event caused no reported disruption to the flight.[Nunatsiaq News]nunatsiaq.comNews Pilots report UFO sighting over Nunavut’s northern Baffin IslandNunatsiaq NewsPilots report UFO sighting over Nunavut’s northern Baffin IslandNovember 27, 2018…Published: November 27, 2018

It does not establish that:

  • the object was an aircraft, spacecraft or physical craft of any particular type;
  • the phenomenon displayed extraordinary performance;
  • investigators ruled out natural explanations;
  • the object remained unidentified after detailed investigation; or
  • Canadian authorities concluded that anything anomalous had occurred.

Those are much stronger claims than the official record supports.

For that reason, the CADORS entry is best understood as evidence of a documented pilot report rather than evidence for any specific explanation. Within Nunavut’s UFO history, its importance lies in providing an authentic administrative trail for the sighting, not in proving what the pilots ultimately observed.

CADORS Record illustration 3

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Endnotes

1. Source: nunatsiaq.com
Title: News Pilots report UFO sighting over Nunavut’s northern Baffin Island
Link:https://nunatsiaq.com/stories/article/65674pilots_spot_possible_ufo_above_nunavuts_northern_baffin_island/

Source snippet

Nunatsiaq NewsPilots report UFO sighting over Nunavut’s northern Baffin IslandNovember 27, 2018...

Published: November 27, 2018

2. Source: tc.canada.ca
Title: Transport Canada4. High Altitude Object Incidents
Link:https://tc.canada.ca/en/binder/4-high-altitude-object-incidents

3. Source: tc.canada.ca
Title: ca Civil Aviation Daily Occurrence Reporting System (CADORS) Manual
Link:https://tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/aviation-publications/civil-aviation-daily-occurrence-reporting-system-cadors-manual-tp-4044

Source snippet

Aviation Daily Occurrence Reporting System (CADORS) Manual - TP 4044September 5, 2025 — CIVIL AVIATION DAILY OCCURRENCE REPORTING SYSTEM...

Published: September 5, 2025

4. Source: canada.ca
Link:https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/services/cadets-junior-canadian-rangers/cjcr-policy/cjcrgporders/8000/8030-13.html

5. Source: tc.canada.ca
Title: ca The Civil Aviation Daily Occurrence Reporting System (CADORS)
Link:https://tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/publications/aviation-safety-letter/issue-2-2021/civil-aviation-daily-occurrence-reporting-system-cadors

6. Source: tc.canada.ca
Title: advisory circular ac no 100 001
Link:https://tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/reference-centre/advisory-circulars/advisory-circular-ac-no

7. Source: our-languages.canada.ca
Link:https://our-languages.canada.ca/en/writing-tips-plus/unidentified-flying-object-ufo

8. Source: nunatsiaq.com
Title: our top 10 stories of 2018
Link:https://nunatsiaq.com/stories/article/our-top-10-stories-of-2018/

9. Source: nunatsiaq.com
Title: Canadian military to gather feedback on “pinging noise” in North Baffin
Link:https://nunatsiaq.com/stories/article/65674joint_task_force_patrol_to_gather_feedback_on_pinging_noise_in_nunavut/

10. Source: tc.canada.ca
Link:https://tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/reference-centre/aerodrome-safety-circulars/aerodrome-safety-circular-asc-no-97-002a

11. Source: uforum.blogspot.com
Title: Uforum Ufology Research: Nothing too baffling at Baffin Island [UPDATED
Link:https://uforum.blogspot.com/2018/12/nothing-too-baffling-at-baffin-island.html

Source snippet

Ufology Research: Nothing too baffling at Baffin Island [UPDATED December 7, 2018]December 3, 2018...

Published: December 7, 2018

12. Source: uforum.blogspot.com
Title: Ufology Research
Link:https://uforum.blogspot.com/

Source snippet

January 15, 2025 — MINING THE TRANSPORT CANADA INCIDENT REPORTS FOR UFOS One of the sources for official Canadian UFO/UAP documents has b...

Published: January 15, 2025

Additional References

13. Source: tribune.gr
Link:https://www.tribune.gr/weird/news/article/841761/apo-agnosta-antikeimena-mechri-paraxena-fota-ti-aneferan-oi-pilotoi-pano-apo-ton-kanada-to-2022.html

Source snippet

Από «άγνωστα» αντικείμενα μέχρι «παράξενα φώτα»: Τι ανέφεραν οι πιλότοι πάνω από τον Καναδά το 2022 | Tribune.grJanuary 1, 2023 — «ΖΩΤΙΚΕ...

Published: January 1, 2023

14. Source: medium.com
Link:https://medium.com/%40/pilot-sees-mysterious-shining-light-in-nunavut-skies-a9c79a090211

Source snippet

November 28, 2024 — Image PILOT SEES MYSTERIOUS SHINING LIGHT IN NUNAVUT SKIES Johnmooner-chief 2 min read Nov 28, 2024 -- 2 Share Press...

Published: November 28, 2024

15. Source: youtube.com
Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuwQMa0xL28

Source snippet

Canada UFO CADORS pilot sighting Lights In The Sky Over Baffin Bay Dec 15 2022 #ufo #uap #joerogan #aviation #pirep @joerogan Squawk737...

16. Source: cabinradio.ca
Title: Canadian North crew reports ‘lights in sky’ over Yellowknife
Link:https://cabinradio.ca/120760/news/yellowknife/canadian-north-crew-reports-lights-in-sky-over-yellowknife/

Source snippet

February 11, 2023 — Canadian North crew reports ‘lights in sky’ over Yellowknife CANADIAN NORTH CREW REPORTS ‘LIGHTS IN SKY’ OVER YELLOWK...

Published: February 11, 2023

17. Source: youtube.com
Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6JgyhoCyi8

Source snippet

Air traffic control audio: Pilots report 'triangles' over Canadian prairies on Jan. 19, 2024...

18. Source: youtube.com
Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgbNKOK7lr4

Source snippet

Air traffic control audio: [Pilot reports]({{ 'pilot-reports/' | relative_url }}) unusual lights over Quebec on Feb. 12, 2023...

19. Source: youtube.com
Title: Daniel Otis on Canada’s UFO Connection
Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgXcV9XZunw

Source snippet

Air traffic control audio: Pilot reports unusual lights over northern Canada on Jan. 30, 2023...

20. Source: icao.int
Link:https://www.icao.int/safety-management/SMI/SI/Examples

21. Source: blog.seniorennet.be
Link:https://www.blog.seniorennet.be/peter2011/archief.php?ID=2198448

22. Source: superstitioustimes.com
Link:https://superstitioustimes.com/baffin-island-ufo-nothing-more-than-a-star-on-the-horizon/