Fargo, North Dakota Gorman F-51 pursuit of light
1 October 1948 · Fargo, North Dakota
Summary
The Air Force checklist for Incident 172 recorded that George F. Gorman, a pilot of an F-51 in the Air National Guard, observed one object near Fargo, North Dakota, on 1 October 1948 at 2100 hours (checklist). It listed the light as clear white and round, in sight for 27 minutes, at 6 to 8 inches in size at closest approach. Weather was CAVU, and the remarks noted that northern lights were visible in the northeast quadrant (checklist). A separate box copy of the checklist gave the closest distance as 1000 ft and the altitude as 1000 to 14000 ft (box copy).
The narrative report said the light was about 250 MPH at 1,000 ft when first sighted and blinked on and off (narrative). Gorman made several head-on passes, followed the light up to 14,000 ft, and chased it to a point about 25 miles southeast of Fargo. The light then climbed out of view and he landed (narrative).
Three ground witnesses gave statements. Controller L. D. Jensen saw a round light once as it passed over the field, and compared its size to an airplane tail lamp (Jensen). Assistant controller Manuel E. Johnson saw the object and a Piper Cub at the same time (Johnson). Dr. Cannon, who had landed the Cub, saw the object twice (Cannon). The tower account said Gorman first asked about other aircraft and was told of the Cub (Jensen).
The report stated that other aircraft, meteorological balloon releases and Canadian Vampire jets had been discredited. It also said a Geiger check of the F-51 and technical studies had begun (narrative). The December 1948 Air Intelligence Division study summarised the case as incident s and said investigation eliminated another aircraft or a meteorological balloon (study). The 1949 cover-dated edition repeated the account (study). It gave the start time as about 2030 hours, unlike the 2100 hours on the checklists (study).
Where the files disagree
Two documents give different accounts of the same detail. Both are quoted as written; we don't say which is right.
Time of the sighting
“2. Time of Incident 2100 hrs” page 203 →
“On 1 October 1948 at approximately 2030 hours the pilot of a F-51 aircraft” page 17 →
Closest distance of the object to Gorman
“8. Distance of object from observer 1000 yds” page 203 →
“9. Distance of object from observer 1000 ft at the closest point” page 177 →
Aircraft type flown by Gorman
What the files say
“One object was observed over a period of 27 minutes.”
Page 204 →“Possibilities of other aircraft, meteorological balloon releases, Canadian Vampire Jets having been in immediate vicinity have been discredited.”
Page 204 →“Gorman states positively that there was "thought" behind the maneuvers.”
Page 204 →“Remarks: Northern lights were visible in the NE quadrant”
Page 203 →“Subsequent investigation eliminated the possibility that this incident may have been another aircraft or a meteorological balloon.”
Page 32 →
Explanations in the record
What the documents themselves say the event was, as recorded. Not our assessment.
- Other aircraft, meteorological balloon releases and Canadian Vampire jets in the vicinity were discredited as possibilities. — Air Force analysis of US flying object reports, pages 101-172, page 204
- Subsequent investigation eliminated the possibility that the incident was another aircraft or a meteorological balloon. — US UFO sightings analysis, Air Intelligence study (1948), page 32
- The checklist remarks noted that northern lights were visible in the northeast quadrant. — Air Force analysis of US flying object reports, pages 101-172, page 203