Project Blue Book documents on the Killian case, compiled by Dan Wilson

American Airlines arranged for the press to interview Captain Killian in New York. Also, in their paper, Flagship News, they gave Killian front page coverage.

March 9, 1959

## Mystery Escort over Philipsburg

The DC-6 Flagship droned through the clear night toward Detroit. American Airlines Flight 139, had left Newark at 7 p.m. and was scheduled to land at Detroit Metropolitan at 9:25.

Inside the cheerfully-lighted cabin. 35 passengers were enjoying a filet mignon dinner.

The voice of Capt. Peter Killian came over the loudspeaker. "Ladies and gentlemen," he said. "American Airlines has a special treat for you tonight; if you'll look out the windows on the left side, you'll get a look at our little surprise."

Clearly visible off the left wing were what appeared to be three saucer-shaped orange-yellow lights moving along with the plane.

"They aren't stars." continued the captain. "and no airplanes have colors like that." He cold his passengers to "make up your own minds what they are."

Capt. Killian first spotted the lights as the Flagship flew at 8.500 feet over the central Pennsylvania town of Philipsburg, a well-known airline check point. He had just started to eat his own dinner after turning the controls over to P/O John Des.

"I almost choked on my steak when I saw them." said Capt. Killian. "but I just watched awhile without saying anything." It was a brand-new sight to the 15-year flying veteran.

He turned to copilot Dee. "What do you see out here on my left, John?"

It was no mirage. P/O Dee saw the same things. As they watched, the end light maneuvered sharply, closing the gap between it and the other objects, then falling back. All the time, the mysterious objects remained abreast of the airplane which was flying at 350 miles an hour.

In the cabin, the passengers were enjoying the show.

Capt. Killian radioed two other AA planes in the vicinity to make sure "I wasn't seeing lightning bugs in the cockpit." They reported back that they had sighted the objects, too.

For 45 minutes, the lights stayed with the Flagship. Then they were lost as the airplane dropped through a haze to make its landing at Detroit Metro.

Once on the ground, the story spread quickly. Newspapermen hounded Capt. Killian in his hotel room, keeping him up until 2 a.m., and resuming their seize before dawn.

"I was amazed at the interest the story generated," said Capt. Killian. He said he had been queried by planetarium officials and representatives of astronomical groups. Radio, press and television people called him from points as distant as South Carolina and Kentucky.

Back in his home in Syosset, L. L., his phone fangled constantly. But no one could decide, authoritatively, what the strange objects were.

A native of Pottstown, Pa., Capt. Killian is on reserve status with American. He is active in youth groups in Syosset, serving as a scoutmaster, an explorer adviser, a club leader, and as an instructor for rifle and archery clubs.

Captain Killian also appeared on radio and television in New York City. He accepted invitations to speak before the Civilian Saucer Intelligence of New York. This committee has in its possession a ten minute taped telephone conversation between Captain Killian and Hugh McPherson of Radio Station WCHS, Charleston, West Virginia in which he vividly relates his experience of that eventful night.