UFO Report — South Dakota, 16 February 1965

On 16 February 1965, at approximately 0309Z, two civil airline flights—one United Airlines and one American Airlines—reported an unidentified aerial phenomenon over South Dakota. The witnesses described a brilliant blue-white light accompanied by two parallel trails. The object was observed descending at an angle of twenty-five to thirty degrees, positioned at fifteen degrees above the horizon. The light was of sufficient intensity to illuminate the cockpits of the aircraft with a bluish hue. The duration of the sighting was estimated at four to five seconds. The United Airlines flight was located 157 nautical miles east of Rapid City, while the American Airlines flight was 15 nautical miles east of Aberdeen. Weather conditions at the time were reported as having unlimited ceiling and visibility. The official conclusion reached by the Air Force, specifically the Foreign Technology Division, was that the object was an astronomical event, specifically a meteor or fireball.