Project 10073 Record Card: Sighting of 15 March 1956

This document consists of a Project 10073 record card and subsequent military message traffic regarding an aerial sighting reported on March 15, 1956. The sighting involved a single object observed by two TWA pilots and one ground observer. The object was described as having a bluish-white front with a reddish-orange tail, appearing to be the size of a quarter held at arm's length. It was observed moving from west to east over a duration of five seconds, accompanied by a roaring sound. The object was seen descending in the northern sky. Military authorities at the Air Technical Intelligence Center (ATIC) initially reviewed the report and concluded that the sighting was almost certainly a meteor. This conclusion was based on the object's appearance, the presence of a tail, the duration of the event, the trajectory, the colors, and the fact that it was observed from widely scattered locations, suggesting a high altitude. However, internal correspondence dated May 4, 1956, from ATIC to the Commander of the Air Defense Command at Ent AFB, Colorado, expressed frustration regarding the investigation. The ATIC noted that the review was difficult due to an insufficiency of data and a lack of follow-up to obtain necessary details. The message requested further investigation, specifically asking if the observers had seen meteors before, if they believed the object could have been a meteor, and how the object differed from a typical meteor or fireball. The document highlights the procedural challenges in investigating UFO reports during this period, specifically the tension between initial assessments and the need for more rigorous data collection.