Declassified UFO / UAP Document
Project 10073 Record Card — Sighting near Formosa, 21 October 1960
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AI-Generated Summary
A ship master reported a large white flame with a vapor trail east of Formosa on October 21, 1960. Military intelligence evaluated the report and concluded the sighting was likely a meteor.
This document consists of a Project 10073 record card and associated teletype communications regarding an unidentified aerial phenomenon reported on October 21, 1960. The sighting occurred east of Formosa at 1440Z, with the report originating from the Master of the ship 'Ocean Mail'. The witness described observing a large white flame accompanied by a prominent vapor trail, traveling at what was described as 'terrific speed' on a heading of 115 degrees true. The object was observed at a low altitude for a duration of eight minutes. The report was transmitted through military channels, including the Air Defense Command at Ent AFB, Colorado, and the Air Technical Intelligence Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. The official evaluation of the sighting concluded that there was very little information available, but that the description was characteristic of a meteor. The evaluators noted that the object's trail persisted for eight minutes, and they hypothesized that the object itself was likely in sight for a much shorter duration, given the reported speed. No additional information was available regarding the incident.
Large white flame leaving prominent vapor trail lasting 8 min - unlike meteor. Terrific speed.
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Official Assessment
Very little information; however description is characteristic of a meteor. Object disappeared and the trail persisted for 8 min. Object assumed to have been in sight for relatively short duration due to mention of terrific speed.
The object was initially reported as a large white flame with a vapor trail, but evaluators concluded the description was characteristic of a meteor, noting the persistence of the trail.
Witnesses
- Master, Ocean MailMasterOcean Mail