Project 10073 Record Card and Flying Object Report — 15 September 1957

This document comprises a series of official records regarding an unidentified flying object sighting reported on 15 September 1957. The primary witness, a civilian mortician from Reno, Nevada, observed a round, stationary object approximately 18 inches in diameter while traveling north on U.S. Highway 93. The witness described the object as having a vivid, deep orange and red color with an orange jet-like flame along its top rim. The sighting lasted between one and a half to two minutes, with no sound reported. The witness was interviewed by Special Agent Carlyle D. Schaad of the 19th District Office of Special Investigations on 4 December 1957. The report was subsequently forwarded through military channels, including the 3635th Combat Crew Training Wing and the Air Defense Command, to the Air Technical Intelligence Center. Internal analysis of the report, documented in an 'Area Plot and Analysis' section, highlighted significant inconsistencies in the bearings provided by the observer. Specifically, the observer's stated location and the reported position of the object relative to Mt. Wheeler were contradictory. Investigators considered potential explanations, including the moon or the tail end of an aircraft, but ultimately concluded that the report contained 'Inconsistent Data.' Consequently, the case was closed by the 19th District Office of Special Investigations on 10 December 1957, with no further investigation contemplated.