Project 10073 Record Card and Supplement to AF Form 112 — Colonial Airlines Sighting, 6 September 1955

This document details the investigation into an Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UFOB) sighting reported by Colonial Airlines flight crews on the night of September 6, 1955. The primary report originated from the crew of Flight 14, who observed an object with a blue-white exhaust flame and sparks while flying at 5000 feet, approximately 16 nautical miles north of the POU Omni Range. The crew described the object as appearing like a 'rocket ship' that descended at a 15-20 degree angle before exploding in a blinding flash. The object was observed for approximately 3 to 5 seconds. Other flight crews, specifically Flight 412 and Flight 33, also reported seeing a flash in the sky at approximately the same time, despite being located at significant distances from Flight 14. Additionally, ground-based witnesses in Washingtonville, New York, reported observing a blue ball of flame that changed color to red-orange. The investigation, conducted by Detachment 3, 4602d Air Intelligence Service Squadron (AISS), included follow-up checks with local agencies such as the City Police, Civil Defense, and Vassar College Observatory, none of which observed the phenomenon. A check with Stewart Air Force Base revealed that a pilot flying a T-33 aircraft also noted a bright flash but initially attributed it to lightning. The final assessment by the preparing officer, Major John Wrona, concluded that the object was likely a celestial phenomenon, specifically a fireball. The report notes that the flight crew's estimate of the object's distance was likely inaccurate, as the simultaneous reports from observers located nearly 100 miles apart strongly support the astronomical hypothesis. The document includes statements from the involved flight crews and ground witnesses, as well as an overlay map of the sighting area.