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This NICAP compilation by Dan Wilson gathers Project Blue Book records on the sighting of 24 February 1959, when American Airlines Flight 139, flying from Newark to Detroit, and two United Airlines crews saw three lights over Pennsylvania and Ohio. It includes the record card, pilot statements, Air Force letters and correspondence with an Akron UFO committee. The Air Force concluded that the lights came from three B-47s refueling from KC-97 tankers. Book excerpts disputing Captain Killian's later claims are also included.
“United Press”13 pages
# The Unidentified Flying Objects Research Committee march 6,1959 Major Lawrence J. Tacker Executive Officer Public Information Division Office of Information Services Department of the Air Force Washington, D.C. Dear Major Tacker: On the evening of 24 February 1959 an American Airlines DC 6 was followed for many miles across northern Ohio and finally to Detroit by three unidentified flying objects. All the crew members and also all the passengers saw the UFOs. The reported objects were star-like, three in number, and kept changing position relative to each other. The Captain of the American DC 6 stated that the UFOs definitely were not the belt stars in the constellation Orion. I mention a few details in this sighting because a few Akron radio stations have announced that the Air Force has explained the objects seen as the belt stars in the constellation Orion. Is this true? Has the Air Force released a definite explanation for this sighting? Our committee has on file the facts that two other commercial aircraft in the Akron area also saw the three lights. These were both United Airlines flights, and both aircraft were in radio communication with each other concerning the sighting. We also have on file a number of credible observers on the ground in the Akron area that saw the three lights pass over flying west at 9:15 P.M. This time coincides perfectly with the sighting of the three lights by the commercial airlines. If the Air Force has explained these sightings as the belt stars in the constellation Orion, I ask you for an explanation of how this is possible. Because of the facts mentioned above, which have been verified, the three lights could not have been stars. If the Air Force insists that the objects were stars and will not release there reasons for these conclusions, we will be forced to contact the proper authorities to see that the Air Force explanation is investigated. UFO Research Committee
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