Declassified UFO / UAP Document
Project 10073 Record Card — Leominster, Massachusetts, 21 October 1960
Ever wanted to host your own late-night paranormal radio show?
Across the Airwaves
You're on the air. Callers bring Mothman, Fresno Nightcrawlers, UFO sightings, reptilian autopsies, and whispers about AATIP and Project Blue Book. Every reply shapes how the night goes.
AI-Generated Summary
A UFO sighting in Leominster, Massachusetts, on October 21, 1960, involved an object trailing smoke that reportedly crashed. ATIC investigated the incident and concluded it was likely a meteor.
This document consists of a Project 10073 record card and associated military message traffic regarding an unidentified aerial phenomenon reported on October 21, 1960. The incident occurred at 0730 hours in Leominster, Massachusetts. A witness reported observing a single object that was trailing intense smoke; the object reportedly fell, hit the ground, and burst into flames in the vicinity of Gardner-Athol, Massachusetts. The report was initially received by the G-2 section of the First Army in New York via telephone and subsequently relayed to the Air Technical Intelligence Center (ATIC) and the Air Force Cambridge Research Center. Military authorities, specifically Major Robert J. Friend, requested an investigation in accordance with Air Force Regulation 200-2 to determine if an object had indeed impacted the ground. If located, the object was to be forwarded to ATIC. The official evaluation concluded that the object exhibited characteristics of a meteor. While the possibility of satellite decay was considered, the presence of a red color in the event led investigators to conclude that a meteor was the more probable explanation, noting that the absence of red would have been expected for a satellite decay event.
Object has characteristics of meteor. Possibility does exist of decay of satellite, however there should be some indication of red color in this event. In absence of red it is more probable that this was a meteor.
PDF not loading? Download the PDF directly
Official Assessment
Object has characteristics of meteor. Possibility does exist of decay of satellite, however there should be some indication of red color in this event. In absence of red it is more probable that this was a meteor.
The object was likely a meteor, though satellite decay was considered as a possibility.
Witnesses
Key Persons
- [illegible]G-2, HQ First Army, N.Y.
- Philip G. EvansColonel, USAF, Deputy for Science and Components