Project 10073 Record Card: Sighting near Collins, Missouri, 13 September 1958

This document consists of a Project 10073 record card and subsequent military correspondence regarding a sighting of an unidentified aerial phenomenon on September 13, 1958, near Collins, Missouri. The primary witnesses were two USAF Reserve Majors from the 442nd Troop Carrier Wing, Judson Whittlinge and McAlear. The witnesses reported observing a greenish-blue object, described as the size of a volleyball, which changed to white and exhibited a metallic glint. The object was observed for approximately 10 seconds while traveling from the north toward the east at an estimated altitude of 15,000 to 20,000 feet. The sighting occurred under clear weather conditions. The official conclusion reached by the Air Technical Intelligence Center (ATIC) was that the object was a meteor, citing the color, trajectory, duration, and apparent speed as supporting evidence. However, the documentation reveals internal scrutiny regarding the report. ATIC issued a follow-up message to the 20th Air Division requesting a preliminary investigation to comply with Air Force Regulation 200-2. Specifically, ATIC questioned the witness's report that they had viewed the object 'out of the corner of the eye' and pointed out a significant discrepancy in the reported size: at an altitude of 15,000 to 20,000 feet, an object appearing the size of a volleyball at arm's length would mathematically require a diameter of 7,500 feet, which the message noted was far larger than an E-36 aircraft. The file includes coordination signatures from various intelligence officers, including Col. Glaser and Mr. Arcier, confirming the administrative processing of the report.