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Declassified UFO / UAP Document

Project 10073 Record Card — Covington, Kentucky, 15 July 1957

📅 15 July 1957 📍 Covington, Kentucky 🏛 AFCIN 📄 Disposition Form / Record Card
CovingtonKentucky1957Project 10073meteorball of fire

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AI-Generated Summary

TL;DR

A civilian in Covington, Kentucky, reported a 'ball of fire' with a 'big tail' on 15 July 1957. Military investigators concluded there was insufficient data to identify the object, though they considered meteors or aircraft as potential explanations.

This document consists of a Project 10073 Record Card and an accompanying Disposition Form regarding a UFO sighting reported on 15 July 1957 in Covington, Kentucky. At approximately 2050 hours, a civilian witness reported observing a 'ball of fire' with a 'big tail' moving in a North-North-East direction. The witness, who was observing from a window with a neighbor, described the object as being too high and too slow to be an aircraft. The report was initially received by Captain McClendon of the Base Info Service and subsequently processed by 1/Lt Louis D. Rosenberg. An internal review of aeronautical charts by the evaluating agency noted that Air Traffic Control Airway, Amber #6, passes near the reported location, suggesting a potential aircraft origin. However, the specific description of a 'big tail' led the evaluating officer to conclude that the phenomenon was more characteristic of a meteor or shooting star. Ultimately, the official conclusion recorded on the project card is that there was insufficient data for a definitive evaluation.

He reported "a ball of fire with a big tail", too high and too slow to be an airplane, moving N.N.E. over his position "Covington" "2020".

Official Assessment

Insufficient data for evaluation.

The report suggests the object could have been an aircraft with an afterburner, a comet, or a meteor. An internal review of aero charts noted that Air Traffic Control Airway, Amber #6, passes over or near the location, which might account for the sighting, though the 'big tail' description is noted as characteristic of meteors or shooting stars.

Witnesses

Key Persons

Organizations

Military Units