Project 10073 Record Card and Air Intelligence Information Report — 15 Jan 61

On January 15, 1961, at approximately 2227 local time, 1st Lt. W. B. McDonald, flying a T-33 aircraft at an altitude of 35,000 feet, observed a brilliant white object while positioned southeast of Paine Field, Washington. The object, described as being the size of a basketball and resembling a strong spotlight, appeared to be approaching the aircraft rapidly, causing the pilot to initiate evasive maneuvers under the impression that a collision was imminent. The object subsequently exploded, illuminating a large portion of the sky with orange and blue colors before returning to darkness. The entire event lasted approximately five seconds. The pilot noted that there was no sound associated with the event. The report includes corroborating information from Capt. Robert E. Dawson and 1st Lt. James L. Fulk Jr., who were also involved in the flight. The official conclusion reached by the evaluating agency, ATIC, was that the object was a meteor or fireball, noting that the description and duration were characteristic of such phenomena and that the object likely exploded before reaching the earth's surface. The report also mentions that a similar meteor was reported across southern Oregon and northern California on the same date, which illuminated the area near Eureka, California.