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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.
“Cooper”1 page
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able to ascertain any size or shape. The altitude of the objects was 30 degrees above my horizon. Distance away is unknown. "During the investigation the Air Force determined that there were three B-47's in the area of Capt. Killian's flight path during the hour of the sighting. These B-47's were on a night refueling mission. "A check was made with the aircraft support systems project office, Wright-Patterson AFB, to determine the characteristics of a night refueling operation. The tanker has several groups of lights which at a distance would appear to be one or more lights. The time duration of a refueling operation varies, can last well over an hour, depending upon the type of operation. Refueling would take place at approximately 17,000 feet and approximately 230 knots true. "All evidence indicates that Captain Killian probably saw a B-47 refueling operation." This letter purports to contain a complete and exact statement from Captain Killian. Unfortunately, there is no indication of when or where these alleged statements were made. There are no quotation marks; nor is the statement signed. Paragraphs three and four would definitely lead one to believe that Captain Killian was not familiar with a jet refueling operation. Compare this with Captain Killian's statements made to the Long Island Daily Press on March 24, 1959. (See Page 10) Obviously, the two are in direct contradiction. Paragraph five of the above report states that Killian, while viewing the objects was not able to discern any positive size or shape. However, Civilian Saucer Intelligence of New York City, in an interview with Captain Killian, quotes him as saying, "They appeared to be like the apparent size of the moon." The Air Force, in Paragraph six, indicates a night refueling operation was in progress in the area of the Killian flight. Again, refer to (Page 5) of this report where it will be noted that ATC (the supreme regulatory body for air traffic, both civilian and military) had no knowledge of any flight of three planes in the area of Killian's airplane. The complete text of this Air Force report bears the well-known earmarks of Air Force distortion. Note that the Air Force office issuing the report (presumably Washington, D.C. made a "check" with Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton before issuing their statement. Was the check made to determine the true characteristics of a jet refueling operation, or was it simply made to add authoritative embellishments to an otherwise unstable explanation?
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