2010 · Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport, Zhejiang, China
Hangzhou Xiaoshan airport closed by a light
Part ofThe closed airport
From the accounts: a flashing light reported by an approaching crew halted traffic at Hangzhou Xiaoshan airport for nearly an hour on 7 July 2010. · Illustration for uaptrail.com
When7 July 2010, 20:45–21:41
WhereHangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport, Zhejiang, China
Backing1 independent
Evidenceofficial records
On the evening of 7 July 2010 a crew approaching Hangzhou's Xiaoshan airport reported a flashing light. Radar saw nothing, but controllers halted all traffic for nearly an hour and sent aircraft to search; 18 flights were affected. The head of air traffic control said no conclusion had been drawn, and an anonymous source spoke of a military connection.
Evidence, in date order (1)
- 7 Jul 2010Civil Aviation Administration of Chinaofficialclosed the airport for about an hour and diverted 12 arrivals
How plausible · High
Airline crews' reports closed a major airport for an hour with an official confirmation; radar saw nothing and an anonymous source hinted at a military link.
- ●●Access Crews on approach and air traffic control.
- ●●No gain sought Closing the airport cost money.
- ●●Restraint "No conclusion has been drawn."
- ●●Character record Named CAAC official.
- ●●Checkable details check out Xinhua and China Daily coverage.
- ●○Independent convergence Several crews.
Plausibility weighs how well an account fits where secrecy hides the documents by design, so missing records never count against it. Strength measures what is documented. Assessed 2026-10-23.
Claims
'No conclusion has yet been drawn'; a private plane was 'just a guess'.firsthandSourced, unconfirmedWang Jian, head of air traffic control, CAAC Zhejiang (Xinhua / China Daily)
Crews reported a flashing light; radar detected nothing; all movements were halted, aircraft were sent to search, and 18 flights were affected.firsthandSourced, unconfirmedDushi Kuaibao (9 Jul 2010)
A 'military connection'; not 'the proper time to publicly disclose'.anonymousSourced, unconfirmedanonymous source, press reports
Where
Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport, Zhejiang, China
30.2°N 120.4°E