Washington, D.C. radar-visual sightings
DISPUTED
On consecutive Saturday nights, controllers at Washington National Airport and Andrews AFB tracked unknown targets over the capital — including the prohibited airspace over the White House and Capitol — while airline pilots saw lights where radar showed them. F-94 jets scrambled from New Castle AFB, Delaware; one pilot said lights surrounded his aircraft. The Pentagon held its largest press conference since WWII.
Explanation
The Air Force attributed the radar returns to temperature inversions; radar controllers involved rejected that explanation. The widely published "Capitol UFO" photo shows lens flares.
What was seen
Shape: Radar blips; orange-red lights
Witnesses: Air traffic controllers, airline and fighter pilots
Duration: Two weekends
Browse
- United States
- 1950s
- Disputed
- Radar-visual cases
- Official government documents
- Many independent witnesses
- Military witnesses
- Pilot and aircrew witnesses
- Photographs
- Radar tracking
- Lights and fireballs