Project 10073 Record: Sighting of 21 September 1961

This document collection consists of incoming staff messages and related records from the Department of the Air Force, dated September 1961, concerning a sighting of an unidentified aerial phenomenon over the Pacific Ocean. On September 21, 1961, at approximately 1700Z, the crew of a British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) flight, commanded by Captain R.F. Griffin, observed a large, bright, circular object in the sky. The object was described as having a 'doughnut' appearance, with a dark outer rim and a clear center through which stars were visible. The object was reported to be traveling at orbital speed, leaving a faint glow or trail, and was visible for approximately six minutes. A confirming report was logged by a Pan American Airways crew. The sighting occurred at an altitude of 37,000 feet, with the object appearing at an elevation of about 50 degrees. The weather was reported as clear. The official conclusion recorded in the Project 10073 record is that the sighting was related to missile activity in the area at the time. However, the documents also include speculative press clippings and internal notes discussing the possibility of the object being a space-base or an advanced spacecraft, noting that the size and description of the object ruled out conventional earthmade rockets, satellites, or balloons. The reports were relayed to various military commands, including CINCPACAF and CINCNORAD, and were subject to internal evaluation by Air Force Intelligence. The documents highlight the confusion and intense interest surrounding the event, which was widely reported by airline crews and subsequently brought to the attention of the Federal Aviation Agency and NICAP.