Incident #282 Sighting Report — Denver, Colorado, 6 April 1949

This document is a comprehensive intelligence report regarding a sighting of an 'unconventional aircraft' or 'flying disc' near Denver, Colorado, on the evening of 6 April 1949. The report, designated as Incident 282 under Project Grudge, details the investigation conducted by the 14th District Office of Special Investigations (OSI) and the 3415th Technical Training Wing at Lowry Air Force Base. The initial report originated from an FBI Special Agent who, while parked at Stapleton Airport with his wife, observed a round, dark-colored object with a trailing bluish-yellow light. The object was reported to be at an altitude between 15,000 and 25,000 feet, moving eastward and gaining altitude with 'jerky short leaps.'

Following the report, military and intelligence authorities conducted a thorough investigation. Radar units, including an SCR-584 ground radar, were checked for the time of the sighting, but no unusual objects were detected. Weather data from the U.S. Weather Bureau at Stapleton Field indicated clear skies and unlimited visibility. The investigation determined that a 100-gram black weather balloon had been released from Stapleton Field at approximately 2003 hours, which carried a standard flashlight battery and bulb. The balloon's flight path and characteristics were found to coincide with the description provided by the witnesses. On 8 April 1949, the witnesses were taken to Stapleton Airport to observe a similar weather balloon release. Upon seeing the balloon, they positively identified it as the same type of object they had observed on the night of 6 April. Consequently, the case was officially closed with the conclusion that the object was a U.S. weather balloon. The report also includes administrative correspondence, flight logs of aircraft in the vicinity, and reports from the 1910th AACS Squadron regarding minor radio interference, which was determined to be characteristic of the equipment and not related to the sighting.