Declassified UFO / UAP Document
Project 10073 Record Card — Olean, New York, 16 April 1960
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AI-Generated Summary
A 1960 sighting of 20-30 circular objects in Olean, New York, was officially attributed to migrating waterfowl by ATIC, despite internal notes stating there was insufficient data for a definitive conclusion.
This document contains a Project 10073 record card and associated military correspondence regarding a UFO sighting in Olean, New York, on April 16, 1960. Two witnesses, identified as a Civil Defense Director and a machinist, reported observing 20 to 30 circular, dull gray objects, described as being the size of coins, traveling in a close formation at an extremely high rate of speed. The observation lasted approximately 10 to 15 seconds and was made using binoculars. The witnesses noted that the objects appeared as a single mass until viewed through the binoculars, and they reported no sound or trails. The report was processed by the 15th Fighter Group and forwarded to the Air Technical Intelligence Center (ATIC). Weather data from the 12th Weather Squadron at Niagara Falls Municipal Airport was included in the file, noting clear skies and a warm evening. An internal memorandum from Ted Hieatt at ATIC to Major Lawrence J. Tacker indicates that while the official conclusion attributed the sighting to migrating waterfowl, internal staff notes acknowledged that there was insufficient information for a definitive conclusion, though migrating birds remained the leading hypothesis.
Probably a group of waterfowl heading north to their summer breeding grounds.
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Official Assessment
Probably a group of waterfowl heading north to their summer breeding grounds.
The sighting was evaluated by ATIC, which concluded that the objects were likely migrating birds. Internal notes suggest that while there was not sufficient information for a definitive conclusion, the possibility of high-flying migrating birds was the primary assessment.
Witnesses
- [illegible]Civil Defense Director for City of OleanRadio Station [illegible]
- [illegible]Machinist[illegible] Bros Company
Key Persons
- Lawrence J. TackerMajor, USAF, Public Information Division