FLYOBRPT: Observation of unidentified flying object by civilian inhabitant of Phoenix, Arizona

This field report, dated 10 July 1952, documents an unidentified flying object sighting that occurred in Phoenix, Arizona, on 2 July 1952. The report was prepared by Captain Stephen D. Rockstroh of the 127th Pilot Training Wing at Luke Air Force Base. The witness, a civilian woman, reported observing a 'ball of fire' shaped like a flattened grapefruit with a platter cutting across its diameter. The object, which appeared to be seven to eight inches in diameter to the naked eye, emitted a yellow flame similar to that of a candle and left a trail of flame six to eight feet long. The witness observed the object for three to four minutes as it moved from the northwest to the southwest, eventually disappearing behind a house. The witness, who is described as being far-sighted and familiar with aircraft, was outside at 0420 hours when she spotted the phenomenon. The report notes that the weather was clear at the time of the sighting. An investigation by the base operations office included a search for physical evidence, such as ground scars or burn marks, but none were reported. The report explicitly states that no military or commercial air traffic was in the vicinity at the time of the sighting, although it mentions that the Crowell Crop Dusting Company had a Cessna 170 or Navion aircraft in the air between 0400 and 0430 hours. The document concludes that the significance of the report is undetermined and includes an attached map overlay for the Phoenix Sectional Aeronautical Chart to assist in further analysis.