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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 following letter with its enclosure was received from Major Lawrence J. Tacker, U.S.A.F. Executive Officer, Public Information Division, Office of Information Services of Washington, D.C.: ## DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY ## Dear Miss This is to acknowledge your letter of 19 June 1959 concerning the American Airlines sighting of 24 February 1959 and various newspaper articles concerning this sighting. The New York Herald Tribune article of 1 March 1959 concerning this sighting was factual and this office considered it accurate and objective. Your interpretation of this article involving adverse insinuations leveled against anyone sighting an unidentified flying object seem unfounded as statistics and basic observations made in the article came from official Department of Defense releases on this subject. Copies of the last three releases are enclosed for your background. Information concerning specialtion on the part of the reporter and personal opinions of other individuals will have to be obtained from the New York Herald Tribune. Answering your other questions the following information is given: The Air Force received Capt. statement from the Detriot office of American Air Lines on 26 February 1959. Requests are made by telephone as in this case or personal interviews are obtained. Capt. flew back on the return trip to Newark almost immediately and was unavailable for interview. He submitted his statement through the Company to the Air Force. ## The statement you received was compiled during May 1959. The evaluation is based upon all the facts gathered for the specific times and geographical area concerned with the sighting and included Capt. 's statement. This office has no knowledge of subsequent statements by Capt. concerning this case nor has Capt. contacted the USAF to qualify or revise his original statement in any way.
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