Project 10073 Record Card — Falls Church, Virginia, 9 January 1955

On January 9, 1955, at 2005 EST, a civilian witness observed three unidentified objects near Falls Church, Virginia. The objects were described as resembling stars, lacking any visible trails or aerodynamic features, and producing no sound. They were observed in a wedge formation, maneuvering and changing positions while heading northeast toward Washington, D.C. The duration of the sighting was approximately five minutes. The altitude was initially estimated at one to three thousand feet, though this was later revised to ten thousand feet due to the angle of observation. The weather was reported as clear at the time of the incident. A commercial airliner making an approach into Washington National Airport reportedly terminated the sighting as the lights changed course, with one object falling behind before accelerating to catch up with the others, after which all three turned toward the northwest section of Washington and disappeared. The report was relayed by a Department of Defense analyst and noted that the observation was visual, conducted without the use of optical or electronic equipment. The official conclusion recorded on the Project 10073 record card categorized the objects as 'Probable a/c' (probable aircraft).