Area 51 crash mystery deepens as FBI joins investigation into 'tampering' at site

The FBI has joined an investigation by the U.S. Air Force over a crash near classified Area 51 after officials say someone tampered with the site.

The 432nd Wing, stationed at Creech Air Force Base in Clark County, said one of its aircraft was involved in an "incident" on September 23. The crash had no fatalities or injuries. The initial crash did prompt the closing of airspace over the base for a few days, due to "national security concerns."

The site was secured and cleaned up quickly. However, on October 3, the base issued a statement that returning investigators discovered signs of "tampering" at the location, "including the presence of an inert training bomb body and an aircraft panel of unknown origin that were placed on the site post-incident." The announcement caused some speculation online, considering the base's history with rumored alien crashes.

• Donald Trump's inconsistent behaviour explained by bombshell new 'madman' theory
• Dad made friend dig his own grave and kill himself after raping daughter, 6

While specifics remain sparse about an unspecified U.S. Air Force aircraft, the aircraft is widely speculated to be some sort of drone, which crashed in southern Nevada. One photo was released by the Air Force of the site.

"On September 23, 2025, an aircraft assigned to the 432nd Wing was involved in an incident with no fatalities or injuries. The site was secured and guarded until recovery and cleanup operations were completed on September 27th. During a follow-on site survey on October 3rd, investigators discovered signs of tampering at the mishap location, including the presence of an inert training bomb body and an aircraft panel of unknown origin that were placed on the site post-incident. The matter is under investigation by Air Force Office of Special Investigations (OSI) and the FBI. No further details are available at this time," read the statement.

The statement did not disclose the origins of the materials found by investigators.

Defense news outlet The War Zone speculated that the downed aircraft could be an MQ-9 Reaper drone, as it's operated by the 432nd Wing, or possibly the rarely seen RQ-170 Sentinel, which also operates from Creech AFB.

Since it burst onto the conspiracy theory scene in 1989, Area 51 has been shrouded in secrecy, sparking heated debates about its true purpose behind those imposing, barbed wire-topped fences. The CIA didn't officially confirm the site's existence until 2013.

In a resurgence of interest, a hefty 400-page CIA report has people buzzing all over again as it spreads across X. The document reveals the base's pre-1974 operations, including secret U-2 spy plane tests that seem to explain many UFO sightings misinterpreted by the public.

Since it burst onto the conspiracy theory scene in 1989, Area 51 has been shrouded in secrecy, sparking heated debates about its true purpose behind those imposing, barbed wire-topped fences. The CIA didn't officially confirm the site's existence until 2013.

In a resurgence of interest, a hefty 400-page CIA report has people buzzing all over again as it spreads across X. The document reveals the base's pre-1974 operations, including secret U-2 spy plane tests that seem to explain many UFO sightings misinterpreted by the public.