Project 10073 Record: Sighting Report - Merrick, New York, 11 October 1966

On 11 October 1966, a 49-year-old male witness in Merrick, New York, observed a cluster of approximately twelve star-like objects in the southeastern sky. The witness, who described the objects as white lights that appeared brighter than stars, reported the sighting to the Air Force. The observation lasted between seven and eight minutes. The witness noted that the objects remained in the same general area, with individual lights fading in and out, and that there was no definite maneuver pattern. The witness reported no sound and stated that the objects eventually faded out toward the southeast. The Air Force conducted an evaluation of the report, which was processed under Project 10073. Major Hector Quintanilla, Jr., Chief of Project Blue Book, initially requested further information from the witness, noting that the initial report was insufficient for evaluation. Subsequent military communications and internal analysis suggested that the sighting was likely attributable to civilian air traffic operating in the vicinity of John F. Kennedy (JFK) and LaGuardia (LGA) airports. The final assessment concluded that the report was likely motivated by recent public interest and media coverage regarding UFOs.