Project 10073 Record — Sighting Report, Utica, New York, 4 January 1966

This document contains the Project Blue Book record for a UFO sighting reported in Utica, New York, on the night of January 4, 1966. The primary record consists of a standard U.S. Air Force Technical Information questionnaire completed by a 17-year-old high school senior. The witness reported observing a single object over a period of three hours and 45 minutes, between 6:30 PM and 10:15 PM. The witness described the object as a starlike, bright light that appeared hazy to the naked eye. According to the report, the object exhibited varied behavior, including hovering, moving in a straight line, arcing overhead, and remaining stationary. The witness estimated the object's speed at over 1,000 mph at times. Additional details provided by the witness in the narrative section and sketches include a description of a 'dull red' color, a 'yellow-green haze' around the object, and a 'red dome' beneath it. The witness also noted hearing a 'faint roar' and mentioned that the object moved behind trees and roofs. The witness claimed that a dozen or more people saw the occurrence. A follow-up letter from Major Hector Quintanilla, Jr., Chief of Project Blue Book, dated February 16, 1966, addressed to the witness, states that the Air Force had no reports from New York for that night and requested the completion of the attached FTD Form 164 for further analysis. The final conclusion recorded on the Project 10073 form is 'INSUFFICIENT DATA,' noting that there was no evidence to rule out conventional sightings of stars, planets, meteors, or aircraft, and that the data provided was conflicting and insufficient.