Project 10073 Record: Sighting of 25 June 1966, Akron, Ohio

This document contains the records of a UFO sighting reported by a couple traveling on Route 21 in the Medina County area of Ohio on the night of June 25, 1966. The witnesses reported seeing bright red, white, and green lights at treetop level that appeared to be an aircraft attempting to land. They described the object as shaped like a doughnut or an innertube, with a small red flashing light on top. The object followed their vehicle for approximately two minutes before veering off to the west. The witnesses, concerned that they might be perceived as mentally unbalanced, initially kept the sighting to themselves but later contacted the Air Force. The Air Force Office of Special Investigations (OSI) and Project Blue Book investigated the report. Through inquiries with the Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) and the Goodyear Rubber Company in Akron, investigators determined that the Goodyear blimp was operating in the Akron area on the night of the sighting, between 9:00 PM and 11:30 PM. The blimp was equipped with standard running lights and a large, 100-foot by 14-foot multicolored advertising sign. The Air Force concluded that the witnesses had observed the Goodyear blimp, noting that such advertising displays are often mistaken for unidentified objects due to their unique lighting configurations and slow movement. The correspondence includes letters from the Air Force to the witnesses explaining this conclusion and thanking them for their report.