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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.
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20 Unidentified Flying Object Sighting 1. The following information is furnished in reply to your message, AFCIN-4E4G-8-1592-E, dated 5 August 1959. a. Attached is a statement prepared by Captain describing the incident. This statement was made shortly after the incident occurred and was obtained from the Public Relations Department of American Airlines. It was felt that this statement would be more accurate since it was prepared when the incident was fresh in Captain mind, rather than having him prepare a completely new statement at this time. b. The following additional information was received by telephone interview with Captain. The flight had departed Newark and was on a VFR-direct course to Detroit. At approximately 2045 hours, at a location approximately one-half way between the Williamsport OMNI and the Bradford OMNI (Chart 18 USAF/USN Flight Information Publication Enroute-Low Altitude) Captain sighted three (3) lights at approximately nine o'clock to his aircraft. He was flying at 8500 feet in the clear above scattered cloud tops at 5500 feet. The top of the haze layer was at approximately 5500 feet. The pilot indicated that at his altitude it was clear and unlimited. The lights stayed off his left wing moving from the nine o'clock to the eleven o'clock position and back as he proceeded Westbound on Victor 116 until he reached a position in the vicinity of the Angler Intersection (Angler Intersection located on Chart 17 of the USAF/USN Flight Information Publication Enroute-Low Altitude) where Victor 116 crosses Victor 5. In the vicinity of the Angler Intersection the lights turned toward the South and disappeared. At approximately this same time Captain started his let down for an approach to Detroit. During the period that the lights were visible Captain aircraft was on an approximate heading of 290 degrees. Immediately preceding the sighting Captain was in the left seat and was having dinner.
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