Project 10073 Record Card and Air Intelligence Information Report — 24 April 1952

On the evening of 24 April 1952, an Air Force officer assigned to the 92d Bombardment Wing at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, observed an unidentified aerial object. The witness, who was standing on the back porch of his home, reported seeing a circular, glowing red object that appeared stationary. The object was described as being the size of a pencil eraser held at arm's length and was noted to be brighter than the clearance lights of aircraft in the area. The object exhibited a pulsing effect, increasing and decreasing in brilliance over a duration of approximately seven minutes before it faded and disappeared. The witness, who was considered reliable and serious, was accompanied by his wife and two other officers who also observed the object. Weather conditions at the time were reported as having broken clouds at 18,000 feet with good visibility. The investigating officer, Major Ben H. Goldmann, noted that there was no physical evidence and no interception action was taken. An investigation into the sighting considered the possibility that the object was a beacon light projected by atmospheric refraction or a weather balloon launched at 0300, though these remained speculative. The report highlights a critical shortage of forms at the station, necessitating the use of onion skin paper to complete the documentation. The sighting remains categorized as having insufficient data for a definitive evaluation.