Project 10073 Record Card and Air Intelligence Information Report — Needles, California, September 1952

This document is an Air Intelligence Information Report (SBAMA-13-1-52) regarding a sighting of an unidentified flying object by D. H. Tittle in Needles, California, on September 7, 1952. The report includes a Project 10073 record card, correspondence from the witness, and internal military communications. According to the witness, he was sitting on his front porch at approximately 1930 PST when he observed a single object moving from north to south. He described the object as having a delta-wing shape, similar to an aircraft, with a width of approximately 200 feet. He estimated its altitude at 2,000 feet and its speed between 100 and 125 mph. The object made no noise and exhibited a dull, luminous glow. The witness observed the object for approximately 15 seconds before it was obscured by trees. He explicitly ruled out the possibility of it being a large flock of birds or a conventional aircraft, suggesting instead that it might have been an atmospheric condition. The Air Force investigation noted that the witness's reliability was unknown and that no physical evidence, such as photographs or fragments, was provided. The 27th Air Division (Defense) took no interception or identification action, and no air traffic was reported in the area at the time of the sighting. Weather conditions were reported as clear with 45-mile visibility. The report concludes that the information provided by the witness is vague, though he attempted to explain the event to the best of his ability. The military authorities noted that they were unable to obtain further information or evaluate the witness's reliability due to the geographical distance between the witness and the installation.