65_HS1-834228961_62-HQ-83894_Serial_130

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CONFIDENTIAL

DECLASSIFIED

Authority:

NND 90986

IN REPLY

REFER TO:

HEADQUARTERS
AIR DEFENSE COMMAND
MITCHEL FIELD, NEW YORK

12 September 1947

SUBJECT: Unidentified Flying Object
(Interview - Alpheus O. Powell)

SUMMARY OF INFORMATION:

The following information was received 12 August 1947 from Mr. Alpheus O. Powell, 28 Redwood Road, New Hyde Park, Long Island, relative to the sighting of a possible flying disc 4 August 1947.

On 4 August 1947, Mr Powell, an Airlines Captain with Pan American Airways, Inc., was the first pilot of a Constellation type aircraft on a flight from Gander, Newfoundland, to La Guardia Field, New York. Mr. Powell took over the aircraft at Gander, Newfoundland and departed at approximately 1230 P.M., Eastern Daylight Saving Time for La Guardia Field, New York. At 1600 P.M., at a position approximately midway between the Everett (Mass) Pan Marker and the Bedford Radio Beacon (Everett is 3 miles NW of Boston, Mass., and Bedford is 15 miles NW of the same city) both Mr Powell and Mr W. White, navigator on this trip, sighted unidentifiable flying objects. To the best of Mr. Powell's knowledge, the following weather conditions existed at that time: Visibility was good; cloud coverage was from 6-8/10ths, with tops at 10,000 feet; and the wind at the 8,000 foot level was estimated as being 270/25 miles per hour. The aircraft was at 8,000 feet; airspeed 265 mph; and the course was 244 degrees, magnetic.

Mr White, who was sitting in the co-pilots seat (the right side of the cockpit) first called Mr. Powell's attention to a bright orange object, which was on the right side of the plane, and slightly below the level of the aircraft. Mr Powell was unable to see the object, as he had no visibility to the right and down, from his position. Mr Powell immediately glanced out his side window and noticed, at a 45° angle to the left, and unidentifiable flying object. It was about one mile away at an altitude of approximately 7,800 feet. Mr Powell banked to obtain a better view of the object. The object was under observation for approximately 30 seconds, and during this time was viewed by Mr Powell. Mr Powell described the object as being about the length of a P-40 fuselage, blunt at both ends, cylindrical in shape, and having a bright orange hue. Mr Powell stated that the object had a definite shape, and that there was no suggestion of gaseous dissipation as there would be if the orange color were the exhaust from a rocket, or a jet aircraft. Mr Powell estimated the course of the object to be 200° magnetic, and that the object was travelling at approximately 160 mph. Mr Powell lost sight of the object, when a cloud came between the aircraft and the object. The pursuit of the object was not continued, inasmuch as it would have necessitated a departure from the established airways.

CONFIDENTIAL