Declassified UFO / UAP Document
U.F.O. Sighting Report — Economy, Pennsylvania, 27 May 1965
AI-Generated Summary
A 1965 UFO sighting in Pennsylvania was officially attributed by the Air Force to an aircraft towing an advertising banner. The document also includes a formal rejection of claims regarding a 1949 crash in Aztec, New Mexico.
This document contains a U.F.O. sighting report from 27 May 1965, involving two 17-year-old witnesses in Economy, Pennsylvania. The witnesses observed a large, glowing white object composed of two larger spheres with three or four smaller spheres between them. The object was reported to be spinning or rotating from left to right and was tilted at a 15-degree angle. The observation lasted approximately 90 seconds. The witnesses, who were described as intelligent and skeptical, reported the event to the Air Force. In response, the Foreign Technology Division of the Air Force Systems Command provided an assessment, suggesting the object was likely an aircraft towing an electrically lighted advertising banner, which can create the appearance of rotation. The document also includes correspondence from the witness to the Air Force, in which they also inquired about a 1949 incident in Aztec, New Mexico, involving a crashed saucer and 16 corpses, as described in Frank Scully's book 'Behind Flying Saucers.' The Air Force responded by stating that the Aztec incident was not based on fact and was considered science fiction.
Characteristics of this sighting indicate that an aircraft towing an electrically lighted advertising banner could be the cause. Lights on these banners often give an appearance of rotation.
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Official Assessment
Characteristics of this sighting indicate that an aircraft towing an electrically lighted advertising banner could be the cause. Lights on these banners often give an appearance of rotation.
The Air Force concluded that the sighting was likely a conventional aircraft towing an advertising banner, noting that the rotation effect is common with such displays.
Witnesses
Key Persons
- Major H. Quintanilla, Jr.Head of Project Blue Book
- Frank ScullyAuthor of 'Behind Flying Saucers'
- JOHN P. SPAULDINGLt Colonel, USAF, Chief, Civil Branch, Community Relations Division