Project 10073 Record — Seattle, Washington, 15 July 1947

On July 15, 1947, a resident in Seattle, Washington, reported that a flying disk had landed on her roof and was burning. The fire was extinguished shortly after the incident. FBI agents and Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) personnel were immediately dispatched to the scene to investigate the report. Upon inspection, the object was identified as a hoax rather than an unidentified aerial phenomenon. The device was described as a circular piece of plywood, approximately 28 inches in diameter, held together by wire. It was painted light gray on the outside and red on the inside, featuring the letters 'EYR' (which investigators noted appeared to be 'RYE' printed backward) and a hammer and sickle symbol. The internal components included two radio tubes, a quart-sized cylindrical oil can, and a 14-inch pipe. A piece of cloth saturated with a substance believed to be turpentine was found at the end of the pipe, indicating the source of the fire. Experts from the Navy, including bomb and electronics specialists, examined the object and concluded that it was incapable of flight. The object was taken into the possession of the ONI in Seattle. The FBI noted that no further investigation was being conducted and that no publicity was desired regarding the incident, with instructions to provide no comment should press inquiries be received.