Project 10073 Record Card - Sighting 22 Feb 59

This document contains a series of records and correspondence regarding a UFO sighting reported on February 22, 1959, approximately 60 miles east of Puerto Rico. The sighting was observed by the crew of the Dutch merchant vessel Colytto, including the second mate, fourth mate, and an ordinary seaman. The witnesses described a round, reddish-orange object, approximately three feet in diameter, trailing a steaming gaseous flame. The object was observed moving west, and the witnesses reported that it made a gradual right turn before passing overhead, then turned left and resumed its original course before disappearing. The duration of the observation varied among the three witnesses, ranging from 45 seconds to five minutes. The report notes that no sound was detected. The incident was formally submitted under Air Force Regulation 200-2A. Following the initial report, the Air Technical Intelligence Center (ATIC) requested additional information regarding the elevation of the object and the ship's heading. The responding unit, the 5700th Air Base Group, confirmed the ship's heading was 237 degrees but stated that elevation data was unavailable. The final assessment provided by the project investigators concluded that the object possessed the general characteristics of a missile. Although the specific missile schedule was not available at the time of the analysis, the investigators noted that the sighting occurred within a known missile range, leading them to conclude that the object was likely a missile.