Maxwell Field, Alabama light sighting
28 June 1947 · Maxwell Field, Alabama
Summary
Four Army Air Forces officers reported a moving light over Maxwell Field, Montgomery, Alabama, on the night of 28 June 1947. A Tactical Air Command report dated 7 July 1947 named Capt. Wilson H. Kayko, Capt. John H. Cantrell and 1st Lt. Theodore Dewey of Headquarters TAC, and Capt. Redman of Randolph Field, Texas. Kayko signed it.
The report said the light appeared from the west at about 2120 Central time, brighter than a star slightly, and travelled east at high speed with no audible sound. It moved in a zig zag course with bursts of speed, like a water bug. Overhead it turned 90 degrees south, then southwest after about five minutes, and was lost in the brilliancy of the moon. The observers could no longer see it at 2145. The report said two observers were rated pilots and two were air intelligence officers.
The observers phoned Maxwell Field operations to ask whether experimental aircraft were scheduled nearby. The reply was negative. The report offered no plausible explanation and said the light acted contrary to common aerodynamical laws. A sketch of the course was said to be attached, but the later check-list recorded that no sketch was in the file, although the transmittal letter indicated one was sent.
The incident appeared as number 91 on an Air Force check-list. It recorded one object, over 5 minutes in sight, altitude impossible to determine, and shape and colour not stated. The same entry appears in a second copy of the incident summaries. An FBI file table listed it as report 5, with the weather given as clear moonlight. An Air Materiel Command document listed it among observations of lights and trails, describing a light that did not fly like a conventional aircraft.
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.
Serial number of Captain Cantrell
“Capt John H. Cantrell, O-259404, Hq, TAC” page 236 →
“Capt John H. Cantrell, O-255404, Hq TAC” page 191 →
What the files say
“Directly overhead it changed course 90° into the South.”
Page 192 →“It traveled in a zig zag course with frequent bursts of speed, much like a water bug as it spurts and stops across the surface of water.”
Page 104 →“The reply was negative.”
Page 104 →“All observers were cold sober.”
Page 104 →“Sketches None in our file altho letter of transmittal indicates one was sent”
Page 236 →
Also discussed in
Explanations in the record
What the documents themselves say the event was, as recorded. Not our assessment.
- Maxwell Field operations said no experimental aircraft were scheduled for flight in the vicinity, which ruled out that explanation at the time. — FBI file on 1947 flying saucer wave, Arnold sighting, page 104
- The report offered no plausible explanation for the light's behaviour. — FBI file on 1947 flying saucer wave, Arnold sighting, page 104
Related
- Releases: Release 1, Release 3, Release 5
- Programs: Project Sign
- Search the transcripts for “Maxwell Field”
- All cases