Project 10073 Record Card — Springfield, Ohio, 7 October 1962

On October 7, 1962, a civilian witness traveling west on Route 40 from Springfield to Dayton, Ohio, reported observing an unidentified aerial phenomenon. The witness, driving a 1961 Fiat 1100 sedan at approximately 50-55 mph, first noticed a strange, triangular-shaped light to their right (north) at 0520Z. Over the course of a 20-minute observation, the witness noted the object changed shape from triangular to oblong or cigar-shaped, and finally to an inverted dome. The object was described as having an amber glow and moving randomly, occasionally appearing and disappearing into the cloud base. The witness reported the weather conditions as stormy with moderate to heavy rain. The witness initially speculated that the object might be related to the moon, but noted that the moon was not visible at the time. The sighting concluded when the object moved behind a cloud mass as the witness entered the Dayton city limits. The Air Force investigation, documented on a Project 10073 record card, concluded that the sighting was likely a ground light reflection rather than an astronomical body, noting that the moon had set approximately 30 minutes prior to the sighting. The file includes a completed U.S. Air Force Technical Information Sheet, a memo routing slip, and correspondence from Colonel Edward H. Wynn to the witness.