Project 10073 Record Card and Associated Correspondence — Sighting of 17 October 1960

On 17 October 1960, at 1732Z, the crew of TWA Flight 91, piloted by Captain J. R. Petrie, observed a round, white, reflective, disc-shaped object while flying over the Waterville OMNI near Toledo, Ohio. The object, described as appearing the size of a pea at arm's length, remained stationary in the flight path of the aircraft for approximately 12 to 15 minutes. The crew, flying a Boeing 707 at an altitude between 26,000 and 35,000 feet, maintained visual contact with the object throughout their climb. No maneuvers were observed, and no unusual radio interference was reported. The crew took photographs and motion picture film of the object. Following the incident, the film was turned over to Major Harvey W. McDaniel, an Air Force Advisor to the 103rd Fighter Interceptor Squadron, for processing. Intelligence assessments conducted by the Air Technical Intelligence Center (ATIC) and the Detroit Air Defense Sector (ADS) correlated the sighting with a high-altitude research balloon (Balloon No. 697N) released by Raven Industries. Radar data from three separate stations confirmed the object's identity as a balloon. It was further reported that the balloon's payload landed, exploded, and was recovered by the Ohio State Police, who subsequently transferred it to the Coast Guard. While the initial photographs taken by passengers were reported as improperly exposed and unusable, the Air Force concluded that the object was a friendly, high-altitude research balloon. The incident was processed under Project 10073 and referenced in accordance with Air Force Regulation 200-2.