UFO ENCOUNTER 1 Sample Case Selected by the UFO Subcommittee of the AIAA
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Astronautics & Aeronautics July 1971
UFO ENCOUNTER 1
Sample Case Selected by the UFO
Subcommittee of the AIAA
In its "Appraisal of the UFO Problem" A/A Nov.1970, pp. 49- crew or by Wing Intelligence personnel, was submitted in
51, the Subcommittee pledged to give the members of this 1957, it apparently is no longer in existence. Moving pictures
society an opportunity to form their own opinions with of radar scope displays and other data said to have been
respect to the type of observations which form the core of recorded during the incident apparently never existed.
the UFO controversy. Evaluation of the experience must, therefore, rest entirely
The selected case, which occurred on July 17, 1957, is on the recollection of crew members ten years after the
treated in the Condon Report (Condon, E. U., 1969, event. These descriptions are not adequate to allow
Scientific Study of Unidentified Flying Objects, Bantam identification of the phenomenon encountered. (Craig,
Books, N.Y., pp.56-58,136-139, 260-266, 750, 877-894). p.265).
During the study by the University of Colorado group, the 4. After review the unanimous conclusion was that the
case files were not located due to an error in date. In object was not a plasma or an electrical luminosity by the
addition, radar and weather analyses were made for atmosphere. (Altschuler, p.750).
September 19, 1957, rather than July 17, 1957. The
conclusions drawn by members of the Condon Committee, Subsequently, James McDonald has been able to locate
based on available information are as follows: the case files, to correct the date of the flight and to draw
1. If the report is accurate, it describes an unusual, additional information from the files as well as from personal
intriguing, and puzzling phenomenon, which, in the absence interviews with the crew. At the request of the UFO
ot additional information, must be listed as unidentified. Subcommittee, he describes the case in the following
(Condon, p.57). article. It is left to the reader to draw his own conclusions.
2. In view of... the fact that additional information on this The aircraft Commander, Lt. Colonel Lewis D. Chase,
incident is not available, no tenable conclusions can be USAF (Ret.), has confirmed the accuracy of this report in a
reached. From a propagation [Based on a wrong date.] letter to the Subcommittee.
standpoint, this sighting must be tentatively classified as an This sample case may serve to illuminate the difficulties
unknown. (Thayer, p.139). in deciding whether or not the UFO problem presents a
3. If a report of this incident, written either by the B-47 scientific problem.
Air Force Observations rapidity of maneuvers beyond the prior page TWX filed from the 745th
experience of the aircrew. ACWRON, Duncanville, Texas, at
of an Unidentified Object 1557Z on July 17, 1957, and a four-
in the South-Central U.S., Introduction
page case summary prepared by E. T.
July 17,1957 In the early morning hours of July 17, Piwetz, Wing Intelligence Officer, 55th
1957, an RB-47 was flying out of Reconnaissance Wing, Forbes AFB,
Summary Forbes Air Force Base, Topeka, and transmitted to ADC Hq., Ent AFB,
Kansas, on a composite mission that Colorado, in compliance with a request
An Air Force RB-47, equipped with included gunnery exercises over the of August 15, from Col. F. T. Jeep,
electronic countermeasures (ECM) Texas-Gulf area, navigation exercises Director of Intelligence, ADC. That
gear and manned by six officers, was over the open Gulf, and finally ECM summary, plus a 12-page Airborne
followed by an unidentified object for a exercises scheduled for the return trip Observer's Data Sheet, was forwarded
distance of well over 700 mi. and for a across the south-central United States. on November 17 from ADC to Blue
time period of 1.5 hr., as it flew from The RB-47 was carrying a six-man Book, and was evidently the first
Mississippi, through Louisiana and crew, of whom three were electronic notification Project Blue Book received
warfare officers manning ECM gear in
Texas and into Oklahoma. The object concerning this case.
the aft portion of the aircraft. Their
was, at various times, seen visually by names are as follows: Lewis D. Chase, The 12-page Data Sheet (AISOP #2)
the cockpit crew as an intensely pilot; James H. McCoid, co-pilot; was prepared by Major Chase on
luminous light, followed by ground- Thomas H. Hanley, navigator; John J. September 10, and contains a number
radar and detected on ECM monitoring Provenzano, No.1 monitor; Frank B. of points of relevance not covered in
gear aboard the RB-47. Of special McClure, No.2 monitor; Walter A. other parts of the case file.
interest in this case are several instances Tuchscherer, No.3 monitor. There is very relevant information in
of simultaneous appearances and I shall draw upon my interview with the the case file as to precise times,
disappearances on all three of those crew as well as case files which I finally locations, and other circumstances,
physically distinct "channels," and located. The files consist of a three- and the case file does have the great
66 Astronautics & Aeronauticsvirtue of representing a summary under the influence of a large high- indicating a rapidly moving signal
account prepared while all of the pressure area extending throughout source; i.e., an airborne source.
details were fresh in the minds of the the troposphere. There were no Signal was abandoned after
crew. showers or thunderstorms anywhere observation...
Before describing the first ECM along the flight route. Shortly after
contact, it is necessary to explain the coast near Gulfport was crossed at
briefly the nature of the ECM gear a point marked A on the map in page
involved in this case. (Details are no 68, McClure detected on the #2 Initial Visual Contact
longer classified, although all of the monitor a signal painting at their 5
basic case-file documents were o'clock position (aft of the starboard If nothing further had occurred on
initially SECRET.) This RB-47 had beam). It looked to him as if he were that flight to suggest that some
three passive direction-finding (DF) receiving a legitimate ground-radar unusual object was in the vicinity of
radar-monitors for use in securing signal. Upon noting that the strobe the RB-47, McClure's observations
coordinate information and pulse was moving up-scope, McClure undoubtedly would have gone
characteristics on enemy ground- tentatively decided that it must be a unmentioned and would have been
based radar. The #2 monitor, manned ground radar off to their northwest quickly forgotten even by him. He
by McClure, was an ALA-6 DF- painting with 180 deg ambiguity for was puzzled, but at that point still
receiver with back-to-back antennas some electronic reason. But when the inclined to think that it was some
in a housing on the belly of the RB-47 strobe, after sweeping up-scope on electronic difficulty.
near the tail spun at 150 or 300 rpm as the starboard side, crossed the flight
it scanned an azimuth. (Note that this path of the RB-47 and proceeded to The flight plan called for a turn to the
implies ability to scan at 10/sec past a move down-scope on the port side west in the vicinity of Meridian and
fixed ground radar in the distance.) McClure said he gave up the Jackson, Mississippi (Point B), with
It's frequency range was 1000-7500 hypothesis of 180 deg ambiguity as subsequent planned exercises
MHz. Inside the aircraft, the signals incapable of explaining such wherein the EWOs did simulated
from the ALA-6 were processed in an behavior. ECM runs against known ground
APR-9 radar receiver and an ALA-5 Fortunately, he had examined the radar units. The contemporary
pulse-analyzer. All subsequent signal characteristics on his ALA-5 records confirm what Chase and
references to the #2 monitor imply pulse-analyzer, before the signal left McCoid described to me far more
that system. his scope on the port side aft. In vividly and in more detail concerning
discussing it with me, his recollection the unusual events that soon ensued.
Number I Monitor was that the frequency was near 2800 They turned into a true heading of
mcs, and he recalled that what was 265 deg, still at Mach 0.75 at 34,500
The #1 monitor, manned by particularly odd was that it had a ft. At 1010Z (0410 CST), Major
Provenzano, was an APD-4 DF pulse-width and pulse repetition Chase, in the forward seat, spotted
system, with a pair of antennas frequency (PRF) much like that of a what he first thought were the landing
permanently mounted on either wing typical S-band, ground-based, search lights of another jet coming in fast
tip. It was working at a higher radar. He even recalled that there was from near his 11 o'clock position at, or
frequency. The #3 monitor, with a a simulated scan rate that was normal. perhaps a bit above, the RB-47's
frequency range from 30-1000 MHz, Perhaps because of the strong altitude. He called McCoid's
was manned by Tuchscherer. It was similarities to ground-based sets such attention to it, noted absence of any
not affected and will not be described as the CPS-6B, widely used at that navigational lights, and as the single
here. VHF communications were time, McClure did not, at that intense bluish-white light continued
likewise not affected. juncture, call this signal to the to close rapidly, he used the intercom
For emphasis, it needs to be attention of anyone else in the to alert the rest of the crew to be ready
stressed that the DF receivers are not aircraft. The #1 monitor was not for sudden evasive maneuvers.
radars and do not emit a signal for working the frequency in question, it But before he could attempt
reflection off a distant target. They later developed. The #3 monitor was evasion, he and McCoid saw the
only listen passively to incoming incapable of working the frequency brilliant light almost instantaneously
radar signals and analyze signatures in question, McClure and the others change direction and flash across
and other characteristics. When indicated to me. their flight path from port to starboard
receiving a distant radar set's signal, I next quote information transcribed at an angular velocity that Chase told
the scope displays a pip or strobe at an from the summary report prepared by me he had never seen matched in all
azimuthal position corresponding to the Wing Intelligence Officer, of his 20 years of flying, before or
the relative bearing in the aircraft COMSTRATRECONWG 55, Forbes after that incident. The luminous
coordinate system. For the case of a Air Force Base, concerning this part source had moved with great rapidity
fixed ground radar, approached from of the incident that involved this from their 11 o'clock to about their 2
one side, the strobe is initially seen in aircraft (call sign "Lacy 17"): o'clock position and then blinked out.
the upper part of the scope and moves The Airborne Observer's Data
down-scope, a point to be carefully ECM reconnaissance operator #2
of Lacy 17, RB-47H aircraft, inter- Sheet filled out by Chase as part of the
noted in interpreting the following post-interrogation gives the RB-47
discussion. cepted at approximately Meridian, position at the time of that 1010Z first
Having completed the Mississippi, a signal with the visual contact as 32-00N, 91-28W,
navigational exercises over the Gulf, following characteristics: frequency which puts it near Winnsboro in east-
Chase headed across the Mississippi 2995 mc to 3000 mc; pulse width of central Louisiana (Point C).
coastline, flying at an altitude of 2.0 microseconds; pulse repetition The descriptions obtained in the
34,500 ft, at about Mach 0.75 (258 kt frequency of 600 cps; sweep rate of 1969 interviews with these officers
IAS=500 mph TAS). The weather 4 rpm; vertical polarity. Signal are closely supported by the original
was perfect and practically cloudless moved rapidly up the D/F scope intelligence report:
July 1971 67MAP OF THE
JULY 17, 1957, FORBES AFB
UFO EPISODE H
OKLAHOMA
CITY G
0540 C
WELLS E
MINERAL JACKSON
DALLAS MERIDIAN
EL PASO F 0410 C
FT. WORTH B
SALT FLATS C
D
A
GULFPORT
0 100 200 300 400 500
MILES
KEY
PATH OF RB-47H DURING PERIOD OF CONTACT WITH UFO OTHER PORTIONS OF RB-47H FLIGHT
A--FIRST ECM CONTACT OVER GULFPORT AREA E--AREA NEAR WHICH AIRCRAFT OVERSHOOTS UFO
B--RB-47H TURNS TO WEST NEAR MERIDIAN F--OBJECT APPEARS TO RAPIDLY DROP 5000 FT.,
C--FIRST VISUAL SIGHTING BY COCKPIT CREW THEN BLINKS OUT AS RB-47H ATTEMPTS TO DIVE ON IT
D--RB-47H TURNS NORTHWESTWARD TO PURSUE G--LAST ECM CONTACT NEAR OKLAHOMA CITY, 1.5 HR
AT FULL POWER AFTER FIRST VISUAL CONTACT
H--RB-47H LANDS AT HOME BASE
At 1010Z aircraft cmdr first P rovenzano told me that nothing seemed to change the relative
observed a very intense white light immediately after that they checked bearing of the 3000-mcs source. They
with light blue tint at 11 o'clock from out the #2 monitor on other known crossed Louisiana and headed into
his aircraft, crossing in front to about ground-radar stations, to be sure that eastern Texas, with the object still
2:30 o'clock position, co-pilot also it was not malfunctioning; it appeared maintaining station with them.
observed passage of light to 2:30 to be in perfect working order. Eventually they got into the radar-
o'clock where it apparently H e then tuned his own #1 monitor coverage area of the 745th
disappeared. to 3000 mcs and also got a signal from ACWRON, Duncanville, Texas,
Chase did not observe any the same bearing. There remained, of and Chase dropped his earlier
magnetic compass anomalies during course, the possibility that, just by reluctance about calling attention to
the flight. chance, this signal was from a real these peculiar matters and contacted
radar down on the ground and off in that station (code name “Utah”). The
Actions over Louisiana-Texas Area that relative direction. But as the crew was becoming uneasy about the
minutes went by and the RB-47 incident by this time, several of them
Immediately after the luminous continued westward at about 500 remarked to me. That phase of the
source blinked out, Chase and mph, the relative bearing of the 3000 incident is tersely described in the
McCoid began talking about it on the mcs source out in the dark did not following quotes from the report of
interphone, with the already alerted move down-scope on the monitors as the Wing Intelligence Officer:
crew listening in. McClure, recalling should have occurred with any Aircraft comdr notified crew and
the unusual signal he had received on ground radar, but instead kept up with ECM operator Nr 2 searched for
his ALA-6 back near Gulfport, now the RB-47, holding a fixed relative signal described above, found same
mentioned for the first time that bearing. approximately 1030Z at a relative
peculiar incident and concurrently set I found these and ensuing portions bearing of 070 degrees; 1035Z,
his #2 monitor to scan at about 3000 of the entire episode still vivid in the relative bearing of 068 degrees;
mcs, to see what might show up. minds of all the men, although their 1038Z, relative bearing 040 degrees.
He found he was getting a strong recollections for various details Note that the above time would
3000 mcs signal from about their 2 varied somewhat, depending on the indicate that McClure did not
o'clock position, just the relative particular activities in which they immediately think of making his
bearing at which the unknown were then engaged. ALA-6 check, but rather that some 20
luminous source had blinked out Chase varied speed, going to min went by before that was thought
moments earlier. maximum allowed power, but of. Note also that by 1038Z the
68 Astronautics & AeronauticsTHE UFO SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE AIAA
Chairman
JOACHIM P. KUETTNER
Environmental Research Laboratories of the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Boulder, Colorado
Members MURRAY DRYER ANDREW J. MASLEY
JEROLD BIDWELL Environmental Research McDonnell Douglas Missile &
Martin-Marietta Laboratories of the National Space Systems
Denver, Colorado Oceanic and Atmospheric Santa Monica, California
Administration
GLENN A. CATO Boulder, Colorado ROBERT RADOS
TRW Systems NASA Goddard Space Flight
Redondo Beach, California HOWARD D. EDWARDS Center
Georgia Institute of Technology Greenbelt, Maryland
BERNARD N. CHARLES Atlanta, Georgia
Hughes Aircraft DONALD M. SWINGLE
El Segundo, California PAUL MacCREADY Jr. U.S. Army Electronics Command
Technical Consulting Fort Monmouth, New Jersey
Altadena, California
Secretary
VERNON J. ZURICK
Environmental Research Laboratories of the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Boulder, Colorado
unknown source of the 3000 mcs prior to some of the above events and appeared to stop, and aircraft
radar-like signal was moving up- that Utah was ground-painting the overshot. Utah reported they lost
scope relative to the 500 mph RB-47. target during the time it moved up- object from scopes at this time, and
The Wing Intelligence Officer scope and reappeared visually. As ECM #2 also lost signal.
continued: will be seen below, the contemporary Chase, in reply to my questions,
At 1039Z aircraft comdr sighted account makes fairly clear that Utah indicated that it was his recollection
huge light which he estimated to be was not painting the unknown until a that there was simultaneity between
5000 [ft] below aircraft at about 2 bit later, after it had turned the moment when he began to sense
o'clock. Aircraft altitude was 34,500 northwestward and passed between that he was getting closure at
ft, weather perfectly clear. Although Dallas and Ft. Worth. Chase approximately the RB-47 speed, and
aircraft comdr could not determine explained to me that he got FAA the moment when Utah indicated that
shape or size of object, he had a clearance to follow it in that off- their target had stopped on their
definite impression light emanated course turn (Point D) and indicated scopes. He said he veered a bit to
from top of object. that FAA got all jets out of the way to avoid colliding with the object, not
At about 1040Z ECM operator #2 permit him to maintain pursuit. The then being sure what its altitude was
reported he then had two signals at Intelligence summary continues: relative to the RB-47, and then found
relative bearings of 040 and 070 deg. At 1042Z ECM #2 had one object that he was coming over the top of it
Aircraft comdr and co-pilot saw these at 020 deg relative bearing. Aircraft as he proceeded to close. At the
two objects at the same time with comdr increased speed to Mach 0.83, instant that it blinked out visually and
same red color. Aircraft comdr turned to pursue, and object pulled disappeared simultaneously from the
received permission to ignore flight ahead. At 1042.5Z ECM #2 again #2 monitor and from the radar scopes
plan and pursue object. He notified had two signals at relative bearings at Site Utah, it was at a depression
ADC site Utah and requested all of 040 and 070 deg. At 1044Z he had a angle relative to his position of
assistance possible. At 1042Z ECM single signal at 050 deg relative something like 45 deg.
#2 had one object at 020 deg relative bearing. At 1048Z ECM #3 was Chase put the RB-47 into a port
bearing. recording interphone and command turn in the vicinity of Mineral Wells,
In my interviews with the aircrew, I position conversations. Texas (Point E), and he and McCoid
found differences between the ADC site requested aircraft to go looked over their shoulders to try to
recollections of the various men as to IFF Mode III for positive spot the luminous source again. All of
some of these points. McCoid identification and then requested
position of object. Crew reported the men recalled the near
recalled that the luminous source position of object as 10 n. mi. simultaneity with which the object
occasionally moved abruptly from northwest of Ft. Worth, Texas, and blinked on again visually, appeared
starboard to port side and back again. ADC site Utah immediately on the #2 scope, and was again skin-
Chase recalled that they had confirmed presence of objects on painted by ground radar at Site Utah.
contacted Utah (his recollection was their scopes. The 1957 report describes these
that it was Carswell GCI, however) At approximately 1050Z object events as follows:
July 1971 69Aircraft began turning, ECM #2 3000 mcs signal on their tail, once
picked up signal at 160 deg relative they were northbound from Ft.
bearing, Utah regained scope Worth, but there was some variance in
contact, and aircraft comdr regained their recollections as to whether the
visual contact. At 1052Z ECM #2 had ground radar concurrently painted
signal at 200 deg relative bearing, the object. McCoid was unable to fill
moving up his D/F scope. Aircraft in any of those details. Fortunately
began closing on object until the the 1957 Intelligence Report
estimated range was 5 n. mi. At this summarized further events in this part
time object appeared to drop to of the flight, as they moved
approximately 15,000 ft altitude, and northward into Oklahoma:
aircraft comdr lost visual contact. At 1120Z aircraft took up heading
Utah also lost object from scopes. for home station. This placed area of
At 1055Z in the area of Mineral object off the tail of aircraft. ECM #2
Wells, Texas, crew notified Utah they continued to [get] D/F signal of
must depart for home station because object between 180 and 190 deg
of fuel supply. Crew queried Utah relative bearing until I140Z, when
whether a CIRVIS Report had been aircraft was approximately abeam
submitted, and Utah replied the Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. At this
report had been transmitted. At time, signal faded rather abruptly. 55
1057Z ECM#2 had signal at 300 deg SRW DOI [55th Strategic
relative bearing, but Utah had no Reconnaissance Wing, Director of
scope contact. At 1058Z aircraft Intelligence] has no doubt the
comdr regained visual contact of electronic D/F's coincided exactly
object approximately 20 n. mi. with visual observations by aircraft
northwest of Ft. Worth, Texas, comdr numerous times, thus
estimated altitude 20,000 ft at 2 indicating positively the object being
o'clock from aircraft. the signal source.
Case added further details on this It was Chase's recollection that the
portion of the events, stating that he object was with them only into
requested and secured permission southern Oklahoma; Hanley recalled
from Utah to dive on the object when that it was with them all the way to
it was at lower altitude. He did not Oklahoma City area (Point G); the
recall the sudden descent that is others remembered only that it was
specified in the contemporary there for some indefinite distance on
account, and there are a number of the northbound leg between Ft. Worth
other minor points in the Intelligence and Topeka, their home base.
Report that were not recollected by
any of the crew. He told me that when Blue Book
he dove from 35,000 ft to The records indicate that Project
approximately 20,000 ft the object Blue Book received summary
blinked out, disappeared from the information on this incident from
Utah ground-radar scopes, and ADC on Oct.25, 1957 (over two
disappeared from the #2 monitor, all months after occurrence of the event).
at the same time. McClure recalled A “Brief Summary” ends with the
that simultaneous disappearance, too. following paragraph:
It should be mentioned that the In joint review with the CAA of the
occasional appearance of a second data from the incident, it was
visual and radar-emitting source was definitely established by the CAA that
not recalled by any of the officers object observed in the vicinity of
when I interviewed them in 1969. Dallas and Ft. Worth was an airliner.
This refers to a near-collision of
Actions over Texas-Oklahoma Area two DC-6 American Airliners near
McCoid recalled that, at about this Salt Flats, Texas, 50 mi. from El Paso
stage of the activities, he was at 14,000 ft at 3:30 a.m. of this day.
becoming a bit worried about excess (See the map on page 68.) The case is
fuel consumption resulting from use now carried in the official Blue Book
files as “Identified as American
of maximum allowed power, plus a Airlines Flight 655.”
marked departure from the initial
flight plan. He advised Chase that
fuel limitations would necessitate a
return to the home base at Forbes
AFB, so they soon headed north from MacDonald Dies
the Ft. Worth area (Point F). On June 13, James E. MacDonald
McClure and Chase recalled that was found dead in the desert near
the ALA-6 system again picked up a Tuscon. He was 51 years old.
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