Air Intelligence Information Report: Unidentified Flying Object, Oregon

This Air Intelligence Information Report, dated May 6, 1952, documents a sighting of an unidentified flying object near Hinkle, Oregon, on April 23, 1952. The report, prepared by Major James C. Lucas of the Intelligence Division, Hq MATS, details an account provided by a railroad engineer who witnessed the event at 1630 PST. According to the witness, the object appeared as a silver flash followed by a light green ball that descended vertically toward the ground. The object left a light brown trail that remained visible for approximately 20 to 30 seconds after the object appeared to strike the ground beyond the second or third ridge, roughly 12 miles south of Hinkle. The witness did not report any sound associated with the object. The report notes that the witness waited five days before reporting the incident to the Interstate Air Communications (CAA) agency, which then relayed the information to the McChord Flight Service Center. Weather conditions at the time were recorded as 25,000 feet overcast with 25 miles visibility and a temperature of 73 degrees. No photographs or radar data were available. The investigating officer suggested that because the object appeared to strike the ground, there was a possibility of locating the impact site to determine if the object was a meteoric body. The document is marked as unclassified and includes standard downgrading instructions.