Project 10073 Record — Houston, Texas, 21 September 1954

This document is a Project 10073 record concerning a sighting reported by a civilian in Houston, Texas, on September 21, 1954. The witness, identified as a farmer, reported observing two objects that were not in formation. The first object was described as a round, medium-sized airplane that emitted a continuous white light and traveled at an estimated speed of 1500-2000 MPH at an altitude of 500-800 feet. This object was observed for only a few seconds. The second object, described as a cupcake-shaped, small airplane, emitted an intense white light that pulsed between white and red. This second object was observed for 6 to 7 minutes, during which it maneuvered up, down, and side-to-side while remaining in the same vicinity at an altitude of 500 feet. The weather at the time was reported as warm with scattered clouds and a slight breeze. The investigation, conducted by Capt. Joe Pate, concluded that there was insufficient data to evaluate the first object, suggesting it was likely a reflection or a meteor. The second object was identified as a helicopter en route from Waco, Texas, to Ellington AFB, which landed at 22:59Z. Capt. Pate noted that the observer was driving a truck at the time, which would have obscured any engine noise from the objects. The report includes specific coordinates and technical details regarding wind direction and velocity at various altitudes.