Project 10073 Record Card — Big Delta, Alaska, 8 July 1960

This document details a UFO sighting report filed by the 11th Air Division (Defense) at Ladd AFB, Alaska, regarding an event that occurred on July 8, 1960, near Big Delta, Alaska. The primary witness, a civilian named Mr. Keim, observed a brilliant yellow flash accompanied by a large trail of heavy black smoke. The object was described as being approximately the size of a dime, descending toward the earth, and burning out instantaneously after the flash. The trail of smoke was noted to be several miles long and appeared to move parallel to the highway. The report was not filed until July 13, 1960, because the witness was on a fishing trip at the time of the incident. Two other individuals accompanying Mr. Keim also observed the smoke trail, though they missed the initial flash. Military intelligence officers conducted an investigation, which included checking with the FAA at Fort Greeley for any reports of aircraft crashes or other sightings; none were found. The official conclusion reached by the Air Technical Intelligence Center (ATIC) and the reporting officers was that the object was likely a daylight meteor. The analysis emphasized that the object's behavior—specifically the long, dense smoke trail and the distance traveled—was inconsistent with a burning aircraft. The report serves as a standard record card for Project 10073, documenting the sighting in accordance with Air Force Regulation 200-2.