Project 10073 Record — Sighting Report, Sacramento, California, 22 August 1966

On 22 August 1966, at approximately 0530Z, a female observer in Sacramento, California, reported an unidentified aerial phenomenon. The observer, a 50-year-old widow, stated she was in the front yard of the Excelsior Apartments on Watt Avenue when she observed an oval-shaped, yellow-orange object that appeared to be the size of a top but more oblong. She described the object as stationary and resembling a spinning top. The observation lasted for approximately two minutes. When the observer went inside her home to report the sighting, the object was gone upon her return. The report was initially received by the 552nd AEW&C Wing Command Post and subsequently relayed to the Operations Branch. Sergeant Claude V. Gibson conducted an investigation and concluded that the observer was uncertain about the nature of the object. The investigation determined that the apartment owner had recently installed a new light in front of the building, which the observer had not previously noticed. It was concluded that the reported object was likely a reflection of this ground light. Furthermore, it was noted that a Log Air DC-6 aircraft had departed from nearby McClellan Air Force Base at 0533Z, and it was suggested that the observer might have seen the lights of this aircraft. Major Hector Quintanilla, Jr., Chief of Project Blue Book, subsequently sent a letter to the observer requesting that she complete an FTD Form 164 for further evaluation, noting that the initial information was insufficient.