Project 10073 Record — UFO Sighting, Arizona, 10 August 1965

On 10 August 1965, between 0430Z and 0440Z, a significant number of reports were received by the Command Post at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona regarding an unidentified aerial phenomenon. A total of sixteen reports were logged from both civilian and military observers in the Luke-Phoenix area. Witnesses described a single, very bright, whitish-yellow object accompanied by a trail of white sparks. The duration of the sighting was estimated at approximately 10 seconds. While most ground observers reported the object moving from west to east, flight crews from TWA, Bonanza, Delta, and Continental airlines, who were flying west of Phoenix, reported the object moving from the southwest to the northwest. No sound was reported in connection with the sightings, and no physical evidence was recovered. The Air Force investigation concluded that the object was a meteor, noting that the description of the object and its trail of sparks was consistent with a fireball. The report also noted that weather conditions at the time, including scattered clouds and lightning to the northeast, may have influenced the reports. The intelligence officer submitting the report stated that the lack of detailed, positive information prevented a more comprehensive analysis under Air Force Regulation 200-2.