Project 10073 Record — Wilmington, Delaware, 5 October 1966

On October 5, 1966, at approximately 10:40 PM, a witness in Wilmington, Delaware, observed two distinct aerial phenomena. The witness, a fixed-wing aircraft mechanic with the National Guard, reported seeing a white light, described as being the size of a pinhead at arm's length, moving westward across the sky at a reasonable speed. Approximately one minute later, a glowing red object appeared from nowhere, moving at a 'terrific speed' compared to the white light. The witness noted that the white light dropped and remained stationary while the red object passed over it, after which the white light resumed its course. The red object was in sight for 3 to 5 seconds, while the white light was observed for 2 to 3 minutes. The witness explicitly stated that the red object was steady and did not blink. Following the report, Major Hector Quintanilla, Jr., Chief of Project Blue Book, contacted the witness, noting that the initial letter provided insufficient information for a full evaluation and requesting the completion of an FTD Form 164. The witness completed the questionnaire on October 14, 1966, providing detailed sketches and context regarding their professional experience with aircraft. The official conclusion recorded on the Project 10073 form categorized the sighting as a possible aircraft and a meteor.