Aerial Observation of Intense Source of Light

This Foreign Intelligence Information Report, issued by the Domestic Collection Division on 18 November 1976, details an unusual aerial observation reported by a British European Airways (BEA) flight. On 10 September 1976, between 1800 and 1900 hours, BEA flight 831 was traveling from Moscow to London at an altitude of approximately 33,000 feet. While over the border of Lithuania, the flight crew observed a stationary, blinding, single source of light off the starboard side of the aircraft. The light was estimated to be 10 to 15 miles away and positioned 5,000 to 6,000 feet below the aircraft, hovering above a lower cloud layer. The object was described as having a yellowish color, resembling a sodium vapor lamp, and was of such high intensity that it was impossible to view directly. The light was bright enough to illuminate the top of the cloud layer below it, creating a glowing effect. The pilot, concerned by the presence of the light, contacted Soviet authorities via the aircraft's intercom network to request an identification of the source. The Soviet response was a negative identification, accompanied by a suggestion that the pilot should refrain from asking further questions. The light remained visible to the crew for approximately 10 to 15 minutes until the aircraft moved past the object.