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This 81-page Project Blue Book case file covers the Levelland, Texas sightings of the night of 2 to 3 November 1957. It holds the record card, Air Force teletype reports from the 1006th AISS and radar units, witness questionnaires, press clippings about the White Sands sightings, and analyst memos. Several witnesses said a bluish-white oval object stopped their car engines. The Air Force concluded the cause was ball lightning in stormy weather, with wet or faulty ignition systems explaining the engine failures.
# AIR INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION REPORT 1C06th AIS3Ent AFB, Colorado Part Seven AIS3-UFOB-386-57 16 or 19 SUPPLEMENTAL INVESTIGATIVE EFFORTS 1. A check made with Lovery Flight Service, Carswell Flight Service, Reese AFB Operations, and Lubbock, Texas CAA for any traffic in the area produced a negative reply. 2. A check for balloon operations showed that Amarillo and Midland, Texas weather stations released balloons at 1200% and 2400% daily. However, these balloons were not likely to be in the area. 3. An interview with Dr. Ralph S. Underwood, BA, MA, PhD, Professor of Mathematics and Astronomy at Texas Technological College revealed the following information a. The amount of rain in the area, together with the condition of the crops, could have developed a phenomenon similar to St. Elmo fire. b. The possibility of burning excuse gas from nearby oil operations reflecting off low clouds existed. c. The possibility of lightning stalling a car and extinguishing the lights existed; however, the possibility decreases as the number of such incidents increase. 4. A check with Reese AFB and US Weather Bureau at Lubbock, Texas revealed the following weather conditions: a. A shallow temperature inversion existed from the surface to approxi- mately 6,000 ft. b. A complete overcast existed with a 400 foot observed ceiling and visibility at 3 miles. c. Winds were as follows: SURFACE: Light and variable 6,000 :160 degrees at 18 knots 10,000 :170 degrees at 25 knots 16,000 :230 degrees at 35 knots 20,000 :240 degrees at 35 knots 30,000 :250 degrees at 65 knots 50,000 :245 degrees at 65 knots d. There was a drizzle or light rain throughout the period. 5. A check made with oil companies in the area revealed that a limited amount of excess gas from oil operations was being burned. Most of the gas is returned to the ground. 6. A check for downed power lines during the period was made with negative re- sulta. NOTE. THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS INFORMATION AFFECTING THE NATIONAL DEFENSE OF THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE ESPIONAGE ACT, 50 U.S.C. 31 AND 32 AS AMINDED. ITS TRANSMISSION OR THE REVELATION OF ITS CONTENTS IN ANY Manner TO AN UNAUTHORIZED PERSON IS PROHIBITED BY LAW IT MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED IN WHOLE OR IN PART. BY OTHER TRANSMISSION STATES AIR FORCE AGENCIES. EXCLUSIVE BY PROMISSION OF THE DIRECTOR OF INTELLIGENCE, USAF.
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