Project 10073 Record — UFO Observation of 22 Apr 69

This document contains a UFO sighting report from a civilian witness in Ruston, Louisiana, dated April 22, 1969. The witness, a chemistry student at the Louisiana Polytechnic Institute, observed an object in the evening sky while attempting to view the planet Mercury. Using 7-power binoculars and an 80-power reflecting telescope, the witness described the object as having four darker triangles in the center and three self-luminous lights. The witness explicitly ruled out planets, stars, satellites, and aircraft, noting that the object did not move on its own but appeared to drift as the earth rotated. The observation lasted between 11 and 17 minutes before being obscured by clouds. The report was forwarded to the FTD (TDETR) at Wright-Patterson AFB by 2nd Lt. Patricia A. Worthen of the 2nd Bombardment Wing. Lt. Col. Hector Quintanilla, Jr. of the USAF concluded that the description was consistent with a garment bag hot air balloon, noting that the report was similar to others received in the past. Because of the delay between the sighting and the report, no formal on-site investigation was conducted.