RADCAT Case Directory
  Category 9, RADAR
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RADCAT is a revitalized special project now being conducted jointly by NICAP & Project 1947 with the help and cooperation of the original compiler of RADCAT, Martin Shough, to create a comprehensive listing of radar cases with detailed documentation from all previous catalogues, including UFOCAT and original RADCAT.

R/V
January 13, 1967
Nr. Winslow, Arizona


Date: Wed, 08 Jul 2009 18:04:41 -0500
Francis Ridge:
This UFO report (and May 4, 1966; Charleston) were the basis for the radar/visual in the beginning minutes of the motion picture, "Close Encounters of the Third Kind"

Brad Sparks:
Jan. 13, 1967; SW New Mexico, NW of El Paso, Tex., to Flagstaff-Winslow, Ariz. (BBU)
10 p.m. Pilot Carl M., an FO, and a passenger Jimmie Moran on a Lear Jet 23 en route from Houston, Tex., to Las Vegas, Nev., at 41,000 ft and 300 knots airspeed (Mach 0.82 or about 540 mph TAS) on a 300° heading saw a flashing [?] red oval luminous object in the 10 o'clock position. Object split into 4 similar red oval objects vertically a number of times, each separated by about 2,000 ft and each emitting a "red ray," then retracting the lowest objects up into the top object. Albuquerque radar tracked the object 39 miles ahead of the Lear jet moving on the same heading, with no transponder signal and at that moment the object blinked off visually for 30 seconds then blinked on. Albuquerque control contacted a National Airlines DC-8 over Casa Grande, Ariz., whose pilot confirmed the Lear pilot's reports. Albuquerque control warned the Lear that the object suddenly darted towards the Lear at high speed within seconds until the radar blips merged [possibly 39 miles in 10 seconds or roughly 14,000 mph]. Object flooded the Lear with intense red light so bright the pilot had difficulty seeing his instrument panel, and it maintained position in front of the Lear for a few minutes then, then blinked out then came on again and started falling back behind the left wing, then pulled forward again. (When the object blinked off radar at Albuquerque controllers would lose the object then regain it when it blinked on again (?).) Both UFO and Lear jet made left turns over Winslow, Ariz., then Los Angeles Center radar picked up both targets. Past Flagstaff the object climbed at a 30° angle disappearing to the W in <10 seconds. (Hynek UFO Experience chapter. 7, case RV-1; NARCAP; BB files??)

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