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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.
“Nevers”20 pages
SAUCERS TRAIL AIRLINER At one time Killian thought he was witnessing a high altitude jet refueling operation but the varying intensity of the lights and the changing position of the objects "made me toss out that theory." In addition, Killian kept watch on his radar screen but saw nothing on it. When his plane was over Erie, Pa., Killian called on his radio and asked if any other airline crews in the area could see the object. Two other American Airlines captains answered. One, a little north of Killian's plane, said he had been watching the objects for 10 to 15 minutes. The other was near Toledo and said that he had looked out after Killian's call and seen the UFO's. Meanwhile, although Killian did not know it at the time, three United Airlines crews along a similar route had also seen the lights. Capt. A.D. Yates and his Flight Engineer L.E. Baney observed them for 30 minutes between Lockhaven, Pa., and Youngstown. Ohio. United Flights 937 and 321 also observed the objects and their crews discussed them over the radio on flights out of Newark. The Akron UFO Research Group also reported receiving reports. There was general agreement that the lights were on separate "vehicles" holding to a formation. After he had begun his descent over Lake Erie, Cap. radioed a report to the Airlines communications Co. Detroit Airport. American Air did not notify newspapers but passenger on the plane did call a Detroit newspaper after they had landed. Local American Airlines press officers then okayed release of Killian's report. When newspapermen interviewed Captain Killian they found a mature man, greying at the temples. Killian is 47 years old and has been flying for 28 years of which 15 have been on the airlines. He has some 20,000 hours to his credit. He was able to give them some additional information. "Occasionally, however, the rear fellow would lag behind." Killian said. "He would be almost double the distance between the other two." He told one reporter that he and one other plane took a bearing on the lights and figured roughly that they were 20 to 25 miles distant. He said he was through being skeptical of UFO's. "Their uneven speed and unusual external brilliance proves they were a type of aircraft which is totally unfamiliar to us. At times these objects emitted a whitish light of blinding brilliance. Then it was like trying to see a dime behind a powerful electric light bulb." The color of the lights changed
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