FAA Correspondence Regarding Japan Air Lines Flight 1628 UFO Sighting

This collection of documents consists of correspondence between the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Anchorage office and various members of the public during February and March 1987. The primary subject is the request for information regarding the November 17, 1986, sighting of an unidentified flying object by the crew of Japan Air Lines (JAL) Flight 1628. The documents reveal that the FAA received over 200 requests from the press and 46 requests from individuals for data related to this incident. The FAA responded by creating a package of materials for sale, which included cassette tapes of communications, drawings by the pilot, and regenerated radar data. The documents note that the FAA intended to be responsive to public interest while managing costs for requesters. A press clipping included in the file, dated February 25, 1987, summarizes the incident, noting that Captain Kenjyu Terauchi reported being shadowed by two belts of light and a massive spaceship the size of two aircraft carriers. The same article cites Philip J. Klass, an investigator, who concluded the sighting was likely an unusually bright image of Jupiter and Mars. The FAA also addressed inquiries regarding the Korean Air Lines flight 007 disaster, clarifying that the event occurred outside of their air traffic control area.