Incident #429 Sighting Report — Seattle, Washington, 22 August 1949

This document, dated 23 August 1949, constitutes a formal report of an unidentified flying object sighting that occurred over Seattle, Washington, on 22 August 1949. The report, designated as Incident #429, was compiled by the McChord Flight Service Center and addressed to the Commanding General of the Air Materiel Command at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. According to the report, multiple witnesses, including personnel from the 143rd National Guard Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron and the Seattle Air Route Traffic Control Center, observed an object at approximately 1845P. The witnesses described the object as circular, approximately 75 to 100 feet in diameter, with a depth of 10 to 15 feet. It was reported to be shiny aluminum, reflecting the sun's rays, and traveling at an estimated speed of 500 to 600 miles per hour at an altitude of 10,000 feet. The object was observed moving from north to south and did not exhibit any maneuvers. Witnesses noted that the sound produced by the object was similar to that of a jet aircraft, though no exhaust trail was observed. A separate observation by air traffic controllers at the Seattle-Tacoma Airport noted an object appearing to be a jet aircraft in the direction of the Olympic Mountains, approximately 20 to 30 miles away. Upon checking with the McChord Flight Service Center, it was determined that no flight plans existed for jet or fighter-type aircraft in the area, and a check of local military bases yielded negative results regarding any local flights. The witnesses remained convinced that the object displayed the visual characteristics of a jet fighter and that its speed suggested it was a jet aircraft. The report concludes with the signature of Lt. Col. Earl J. Livesay, USAF, and confirms that no photographs or sketches of the object were available.