PROJECT 10073 RECORD CARD - 4 December 1956

On December 4, 1956, at approximately 1200Z, an Air Force pilot flying a T-33 aircraft at an altitude of 38,000 feet over Nevada observed a dazzling white ball of fire. The pilot reported that the object, which appeared to be the size of a silver quarter, left a white trail resembling the contrail of a B-52. The object followed a 45-degree arc toward the earth before appearing to burst or explode, leaving behind red glowing objects or streamers described as resembling hot coals. The sighting lasted between three and five seconds. A passenger in the aircraft also observed the phenomenon and concurred with the pilot's description. The weather conditions were reported as a clear night with broken clouds at 10,000 feet. The incident was formally reported under Project 10073 and in accordance with AFR 200-2. Following an evaluation, the Air Technical Intelligence Center (ATIC) concluded that the object was an astronomical meteor. The report notes that the pilot was likely in the very close vicinity of the fireball as it shattered or lost fragments upon impact with the denser portion of the earth's atmosphere, an event described as a rarity.