Declassified UFO / UAP Document
Project 10073 Record Card: Culebra Island Sighting, 24 July 1962
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AI-Generated Summary
A pilot reported a high-speed object with a lighted tail over Culebra Island on 24 July 1962. Military evaluation concluded it was likely a meteor or flare, as no missile launches were recorded.
On 24 July 1962, at 0020Z, a pilot flying a Piper Apache (N4082P) over the west tip of Culebra Island in the Caribbean reported observing a rocket or missile flying at high speed from west to east. The object was described as having a long, lighted tail. The sighting was reported through the CIRVIS (Communication Instructions for Reporting Vital Intelligence Sightings) system. Subsequent military evaluation determined that there were no missile launches from Cape Canaveral at the time of the sighting. Analysts noted that the object's trajectory did not match the typical southeast path of missile tests. The report concludes that the object was likely a meteor or a flare fired by a ship or other aircraft. Due to insufficient data, no definitive conclusion was reached, and the event was deemed to pose no threat.
Possibility exists that obj was most likely a meteor. Also possible that a flare had been fired by a ship or other n/c.
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Official Assessment
No missile launches from Cape Canaveral at this time. Possibility of classified launch, however, not likely; indication is that object would be traveling in the wrong direction (not SE as is usual case). Possibility exists that object was most likely a meteor. Also possible that a flare had been fired by a ship or other n/c. No valid conclusion reached. Evaluated no threat & insuff data.
The object was likely a meteor or a flare fired by a ship, as no missile launches were recorded in the area at the time.