Project 10073 Record Card — 4 June 1960 Sighting

On June 4, 1960, at 2238Z, a military flight crew operating a USN aircraft (VW2, A/C NR 141300) observed an unidentified aerial phenomenon northwest of the Azores Islands at coordinates 40-12N, 34-22W. The sighting occurred during evening twilight under clear weather conditions with unlimited visibility. The pilot and co-pilot reported seeing a single cigar or projectile-shaped object traveling at a speed above Mach one. The object was observed at an altitude between 10,000 and 15,000 feet, maintaining level flight. It moved from the 1 o'clock to the 4 o'clock position relative to the aircraft before disappearing. The object was described as trailing a green-gold white flame that was larger than the object itself. The duration of the observation was approximately 4 to 5 seconds. No radar contact was made during the event. The incident was reported via the CIRVIS reporting system to various military commands, including COMUSFORAZ Lajes Field, ADC Ent AFB, and the Chief of Staff of the USAF. The official evaluation conducted by ATIC concluded that the description provided by the witnesses was very similar to that of a meteor.