Sighting Report — South of Roswell, New Mexico, 9 August 1958

This document is a military sighting report concerning an aerial phenomenon observed south of Roswell, New Mexico, on August 9, 1958, at approximately 0309Z. The primary witness was an Aaxico Airlines pilot flying a C-46 aircraft at 6,000 feet. The pilot reported observing a single object that appeared greenish in color, which subsequently broke into several pieces. The event was characterized by an explosive flash with a vertical extension, lasting between three and four seconds. The witness initially described the event as resembling an anti-aircraft artillery burst. The report was processed by the 34th Air Division and forwarded to the Air Technical Intelligence Center (ATIC). Capt. Wallace E. Bates, a controller at the 34th NORAD Division Combat Center, confirmed that there were no military activities in the area that could account for the sighting. Following an investigation, the phenomenon was officially classified as a bolide, or 'green fireball,' that had entered the Earth's lower atmosphere and exploded. The report includes technical details regarding the witness's flight path and weather conditions, noting scattered low clouds at the time of the observation.