Incident #410: Unidentified Aerial Objects Sighted near Mt Home, Idaho

This report details an investigation into a sighting of seven unidentified aerial objects by a civilian pilot, [redacted], on July 24, 1949, near Mountain Home, Idaho. The witness, a pilot with over 13,000 hours of flight experience, was flying a Piper Clipper aircraft (N5622H) at 10,000 feet when he observed the objects flying in a tight V-formation. He initially mistook them for F-51 or A-26 aircraft but quickly realized they were unlike any aircraft he had previously encountered. The objects were described as delta-shaped flying wings with no visible protrusions, estimated to be larger than an F-51, with a dark circular structure on the bottom. The witness reported that the objects performed a 180-degree turn without banking or skidding, which he described as a 'perfect formation turn.' The objects were estimated to be traveling at speeds between 450 and 550 miles per hour. After the objects passed his aircraft, the witness attempted to intercept them, descending to 8,500 feet. He noted that his engine began running rough immediately after passing through the flight path of the objects. Upon landing, an inspection of his aircraft revealed that all of the spark plugs in his Lycoming engine had been shorted and burned out. The spark plugs were subsequently forwarded to the Air Materiel Command at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base for analysis. The investigation, conducted by Special Agent Frederick M. Taylor of the Office of Special Investigations, concluded that the witness was sincere and reliable. Despite extensive checks with flight service centers in Boise, McChord, and Hill Air Force Base, no military aircraft were found to be in the vicinity of the sighting at the time. The report includes sketches of the objects and notes that the investigation remained pending as of August 1949, with further inquiries continuing in other OSI districts. The incident was documented under Project Sign and later Project Grudge, reflecting the military's ongoing interest in such reports during this period.