Project 10073 Record Card and Air Intelligence Information Report — Lake Charles, Louisiana, August 1952

This document comprises a collection of records, including an Air Intelligence Information Report (IR-114-52) and associated Project 10073 worksheets, regarding a UFO sighting in Lake Charles, Louisiana, on August 14, 1952. The primary witness, a district engineer, reported observing an aluminous, round, yellowish light at approximately 2230 hours. The object was estimated to be at an altitude of 5,000 feet and was observed for approximately 50 minutes. The witness, along with his wife and son, described the object as hovering, moving erratically in all directions, and shooting ahead before stopping. The object eventually turned a darker red color and disappeared. The witness explicitly noted the absence of any trail or exhaust and stated that the object did not resemble any known aircraft. The report includes meteorological data confirming clear skies at the time of the sighting. The investigation, conducted by the 44th Bombardment Wing and forwarded to the Air Technical Intelligence Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, concluded that there was no physical evidence, radar contact, or air traffic in the area that could account for the sighting. The final evaluation on the project worksheet suggests the object was 'Possibly Astronomical,' specifically noting 'Meteor' in parentheses, though the report itself highlights the unusual duration and behavior of the object, which contradicts typical meteor characteristics. The documentation reflects the standard military intelligence gathering process for UAP reports during the early 1950s, emphasizing the collection of witness testimony and the elimination of conventional explanations.