Project 10073 Record: UFO Sightings over Wichita, Kansas (25-26 May 1966)

This document is a formal followup report regarding two UFO sightings that occurred over Wichita, Kansas, on May 25 and May 26, 1966. The report was prepared by 2d Lt Robert S. Makinen of the 23d Tactical Fighter Wing at McConnell Air Force Base, following a request for investigation from TDEW/UFO. Four witnesses, all employees of Petroleum Management Incorporated located on the 15th floor of the Wichita Plaza Building, reported observing an unidentified object for five minutes on both occasions. During the first sighting on May 25, the object was described as cylindrical, aluminum-colored, and tumbling in a non-regular pattern. During the second sighting on May 26, the object was described as a flat, saucer-shaped object that appeared to gain and lose altitude. The witnesses, whose reliability was assessed as generally high, were adamant that the object was not an aircraft. Preliminary analysis by the Air Force indicated that there were 80-100 aircraft in the area during the first sighting and 60-70 during the second, but the witnesses remained firm in their assessment. The investigator, Lt. Makinen, noted that the witnesses' testimony seemed to change slightly each time the event was discussed and that no other reports were received from the public in the area. He concluded that he could reach no firm conclusions, suggesting that if the object was not a satellite, it might have been a natural phenomenon that was misconstrued. He explicitly stated his personal feeling that the event was not a visitation from outer space.