Unidentified Flying Object Report — Sweet Springs, Missouri, 19 February 1958

This document is an Air Intelligence Information Report (IR-1-58) regarding a UFO sighting reported by a civilian in Sweet Springs, Missouri, on 19 February 1958. The witness, a 21-year-old farmer and carpenter, reported observing a bullet-shaped, silver object approximately 20 feet long and 4-5 feet in diameter. The object was seen traveling from the South East to the North West at an angle of 50 degrees to the ground. The witness described the object as trailing a red flame and grey smoke that turned white and dissipated rapidly. He reported that the object appeared to explode, with a piece detaching, before it dropped straight down. The entire observation lasted approximately two seconds. The witness immediately attempted to locate the crash site, driving to the area he believed it had landed, but found nothing. He subsequently contacted a State Trooper, and together they searched the area until darkness prevented further investigation. The Air Force conducted a ground search and one hour of aerial reconnaissance on 23 and 24 February 1958, which yielded negative results. The witness also reported finding a hole in the ice of a small pond, but a subsequent investigation failed to disclose any object. The Intelligence Division of the 340th Bomb Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, investigated the report and concluded that the witness was credible, though the account itself was viewed with skepticism by some evaluators, with handwritten notes on the document suggesting the story was a product of 'great imagination' and that the observer 'probably saw a navy jet A/C, which is painted dark.' The report was forwarded to the Air Technical Intelligence Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base for further review.