Project 10073 Record Card — 26 November 1957 Sighting, Joliet, Illinois

On 26 November 1957, at approximately 0630 CST, a 31-year-old pilot serving with the Indiana Air National Guard (163 FIS) was flying an F-86A aircraft at an altitude of 44,000 feet, 15-20 miles west of Joliet, Illinois. During his eastward flight, the pilot observed an unidentified object that appeared yellowish in color, initially stationary and hazy, before moving and assuming definite outlines. The pilot described the object as flat and metallic, appearing no larger than a nickel when held at arm's length against the windshield. He observed the object for approximately 10 minutes and attempted to pursue it, noting that it seemed to accelerate as he closed in. After the object faded from sight, the pilot noticed a flight of three B-47 aircraft at 33,000 feet. He attempted to contact these aircraft via radio to verify his sighting but was unsuccessful. Upon landing at his home base in Fort Wayne, Indiana, he filed a report with his base commander. The incident was subsequently investigated by Captain George H. Janczewski of the Air Technical Intelligence Center (ATIC). The investigation involved contacting multiple military units, including the 30th Air Division, 20th Air Division, and various AC&W and fighter squadrons in the region. None of these units reported any unusual sightings or incidents at the time. The Wright Operations Officer confirmed no WADC aircraft were in the area. The final conclusion reached by the interviewer was that the pilot likely observed the contrails of the B-47 aircraft. It was theorized that the early morning sun, positioned behind and below the aircraft, illuminated the contrails, creating an unusual visual phenomenon that the pilot misinterpreted. The report notes that despite the pilot's assertion that the day was very clear, the lack of corroborating reports from other observers and the relative geometry of the sun and the B-47 flight path made the contrail explanation the most probable.