Project 10073 Record Card — Dayton, Ohio, May 1959

This document details a UFO sighting reported on May 4, 1959, in Dayton, Ohio. The primary witness, a 34-year-old USAF Captain and pilot, reported observing a bright, stationary light larger than a star over Wayne Avenue at approximately 2040 hours. The witness described the object as circular to elliptical, reflective, and noted that it appeared to break into three pieces, with one piece falling. The observation lasted between 10 and 15 minutes. The report includes a disposition form from the Air Technical Intelligence Center (ATIC), where Captain John S. Fletcher recorded the initial report from Duty Officer Captain Nichols. Subsequent analysis by the Air Force concluded that the object was a weather balloon. The investigation suggested that the low-hanging sun reflected off the balloon, creating the visual effect reported by the witness. The analysis notes that while the witness was considered highly reliable, there was no reason to doubt the identification of the object as a weather balloon, likely observed prior to its bursting. The report includes technical information sheets filled out by the witness, providing details on the sky conditions, the object's appearance, and the witness's location in a residential section of Dayton. The final evaluation categorized the event as an explained sighting, specifically identifying the object as a weather balloon with a red parachute hanging from it.