Kenneth Arnold — "flying saucers" over Mount Rainier

Private pilot Kenneth Arnold, searching for a crashed Marine C-46 in his CallAir A-2, saw nine bright objects in a chain flying south past Mount Rainier. He timed them from Rainier to Mount Adams — roughly 50 miles — in 1 minute 42 seconds, implying well over 1,200 mph. The press coverage coined "flying saucer" and began the modern UFO era.

Explanation

Project Blue Book listed the sighting as a mirage. Other proposals include a fireball, pelicans and reflections; none has been widely accepted.

What was seen

Shape: Nine thin, crescent / convex objects in echelon
Witnesses: 1 pilot (Kenneth Arnold)
Duration: About 2.5 minutes

Browse

• United States
• 1940s
• Disputed
• Aviation encounters
• Official government documents
• Pilot and aircrew witnesses
• Formations and rows of lights

Similar cases

• Nash–Fortenberry sighting 14 July 1952
• American Airlines Captain Peter Killian’s three lights 24 February 1959
• Mitchel AFB — a Navy TBM chases a “parachute” over Long Island 21 January 1952
• Chiles–Whitted encounter 24 July 1948