Project 10073 Record Card: Sighting of Green Flare, Albany, N.Y., 30 January 1951

This document consists of a Project 10073 record card and associated correspondence regarding an aerial sighting reported by two pilots of the 1st Fighter-Interceptor Group on January 30, 1951. While flying in close formation at an altitude of 26,000 feet over Albany, New York, the flight leader and his wingman observed a green flare-like object. The object was described as descending at a steep angle, passing within 100 to 200 yards of their aircraft before appearing to burn out or dissipate at approximately 25,000 feet. The pilots noted that the object resembled a flare fired from a 'Very pistol' and explicitly stated their belief that the sighting was not caused by canopy reflection or other common night phenomena. No other aircraft were observed in the vicinity at the time. The incident was reported to the Commanding General of the Air Materiel Command by the Eastern Air Defense Force, citing a previous directive regarding the reporting of unconventional aircraft. The official conclusion recorded on the project card is that there was insufficient data for a formal evaluation.