Project 10073 Record — Sighting of 3 October 1965

On 3 October 1965, at approximately 1313Z, the crew of an EC-121D aircraft observed an unidentified object while flying over the Pacific at coordinates 39.35N 126.35W. The observation lasted for one minute and 40 seconds. The crew, including Captain Donald J. Meek and Flight Engineer Donald F. Ackerman, reported that the object was positioned at 10 o'clock off the nose of their aircraft and appeared to be directly above them. The object exhibited a rhythmic flashing pattern, with a flash occurring every 20 seconds; the crew observed a total of five such flashes. The object was not detected on the aircraft's radar. The aircraft commander suggested that the flashes were likely produced by a photo-mapping or reconnaissance aircraft or a satellite. The official conclusion reached by the investigating agency, FTD, was that the object was a 'Probable A/C (ON PHOTO MISSION),' noting that the speed and data were consistent with this assessment. The report includes weather data and flight details for the EC-121D, noting that the visibility was unlimited and the crew was notified of no other flight plans in the area at that time.