Project 10073 Record Card — Burtonwood, England, 17 April 1955

This document is a Project 10073 record card and associated teletype communications regarding an Unidentified Aerial Phenomenon (UAP) sighting reported on 17 April 1955. The primary witness was Captain Stephen D. De Turk, a pilot with the 1st Air Transport Squadron, who was flying a MATS C-124 aircraft. At approximately 2235Z, while over the vicinity of Burtonwood, England, the pilot observed a round, bright, bluish-white object. The object was described as having an oblong exhaust or trail and emitting sparks. The sighting lasted between one and three seconds. The pilot reported that the object maintained a steady, slightly downward course at a speed described as far in excess of any known aircraft. The altitude of the object was estimated to be between 10,000 and 13,000 feet. The pilot noted that the sky overhead was clear, though there was a complete undercast of clouds below and cloud build-ups on all sides of the aircraft. The object appeared at approximately 45 degrees off the nose of the aircraft, traveled through an arc, and then disappeared into the clouds. The report explicitly states that the object was seen against a background of clouds, not stars. The official conclusion recorded on the Project 10073 card is that the object was an astronomical meteor. The documentation includes multiple teletype messages relaying the report to various military commands, including the 3rd Air Force and the Air Technical Intelligence Center (ATIC). The report also notes that the reporting aircraft was diverted from Burtonwood to Prestwick due to weather conditions. A telephone interview was conducted with the observer by a major serving as an assistant operational intelligence officer with the 3rd Air Force to clarify the details of the sighting. The final assessment remained that the object was a meteor.