Declassified UFO / UAP Document
Project 10073 Record: UFO Sighting Report - Palmetto, Florida, 29 May 1964
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AI-Generated Summary
A civilian reported a triangular UFO in Palmetto, Florida, on 29 May 1964. The Air Force investigation concluded the sighting was likely a PA22 aircraft and questioned the reliability of the witness.
This document is a formal UFO sighting report filed by the 836th Air Division (TAC) of the United States Air Force regarding an incident on 29 May 1964 in Palmetto, Florida. The report includes a completed U.S. Air Force Technical Information questionnaire, a weather report from MacDill Air Force Base, and an analysis by 2dLt Dale C. Hogue. The civilian witness reported observing a triangular object with five lights for 5-7 seconds at an estimated altitude of 300-350 feet. The witness described the object as dark with five lighter-colored spots and estimated its speed at 700 miles per hour, though they later amended this to 'slightly more than the speed of a jet airliner.' The witness claimed the object made no sound and left no trail. The investigating officer, 2dLt Hogue, expressed significant doubt regarding the reliability of the witness, noting that weather conditions were clear and that the Highway Patrol reported no sightings. Hogue concluded that the object was likely a PA22 aircraft (tail number 5080Z) flying from Orlando to Sarasota, which would have been in the vicinity at the time. Hogue suggested that the witness's estimates of speed and sound were inaccurate due to the witness being an 'unqualified observer' and that cloud movement may have contributed to the illusion of the object's behavior.
The reliability of the subject is doubtful. Weather conditions were clear and the Highway Patrol reported no sighting. There is no apparent substantiating material. I doubt the veracity of the observer's statement.
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Official Assessment
The sighting was likely a PA22 aircraft (tail number 5080Z) on a flight from Orlando to Sarasota.
The investigator concluded the object was a PA22 aircraft. The observer's report of speed and lack of sound was attributed to the observer being unqualified and the object being too far away to be heard. Cloud movement may have created an illusion of motion.
Witnesses
- [illegible]civilian
Key Persons
- Edward H. Connor, IIIColonel, USAF, Deputy Commander for Operations
- Martin M. Sinterf Jr.Captain, USAF, Chief Forecaster