Project 10073 Record Card: Sighting near Argentia, Newfoundland, 11 April 1958

On April 11, 1958, at 110615Z, the crew of a C-124 aircraft (AF30245) piloted by Captain WC Offer and Copilot 1st Lieutenant EE Mecch reported an unidentified aerial phenomenon while flying 60 miles west of Argentia, Newfoundland. The pilots, who possessed significant flight experience, observed a round, white object, described as being the size of a baseball held at arm's length. The object traveled at high speed for 15 to 20 seconds, during which time the cockpit was illuminated by an intense white light, compared by the witnesses to an arc welding torch. The object eventually dissipated in a shower of red sparks directly overhead. No tail, trail, or exhaust was observed. The aircraft was flying at 8,000 feet with a ground speed of 200 knots. Visibility was excellent at 80-100 miles with no cloud cover. Despite the report, radar sites in the area and at NAS Argentia failed to provide any confirmation of the object. Initial intelligence assessments considered the possibility that the sighting was related to the re-entry of Sputnik 2 (57-beta). However, subsequent analysis noted that Sputnik 2 did not decay until April 14, 1958. The final evaluation concluded that the object exhibited the characteristics of a long-duration bolide and classified the event as a meteor sighting.