Declassified UFO / UAP Document
Project 10073 Record — Sighting in Helena, Arkansas, 5 December 1968
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AI-Generated Summary
A civilian pilot in Helena, Arkansas, reported a round, flame-colored object on December 5, 1968. The Air Force investigated the report and concluded it was likely a garment bag hot air balloon.
This document contains a Project 10073 record regarding a UFO sighting reported by a civilian in Helena, Arkansas, on December 5, 1968. The witness, a private pilot and business professional, observed a flame-colored, whitish-yellow, perfectly round object in the sky for approximately 60 seconds. The witness described the object's movement as erratic, noting it appeared to bounce like a ball in slow motion before dipping below the horizon. The witness reported the event to the Memphis Flight Service and was subsequently contacted by Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. The Air Force provided a formal response on January 17, 1969, stating that the description provided was consistent with previous reports of 'Garment Bag Hot Air Balloons.' The file includes the completed Sighting of Unidentified Phenomena Questionnaire (AF Form 117), hand-drawn sketches of the object's trajectory and position relative to the horizon, and correspondence from the Foreign Technology Division at Wright-Patterson AFB.
The description that you have given us of your UFO sighting of 5 December 1968 is similar to other reports we have had in the past of Garment Bag Hot Air Balloons.
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Official Assessment
Probable (HOT AIR BALLOON)
The Air Force concluded the sighting was likely a garment bag hot air balloon.
Witnesses
Key Persons
- Hector Quintanilla, JrLt Colonel, USAF, Chief, Aerial Phenomena Branch