Brazil, February 1962February 1962

In late February 1962, metal fragments fell across a wide area of southern Brazil, prompting investigation by U.S. military and diplomatic officials. The pieces were recovered over several days in the states of Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro.

One fragment, approximately 1.5 by 0.125 inches, bore stenciled markings that included "TVS 7-5X 10047" and references to a canister and radio beacon. This marking proved critical to identification. Eyewitnesses reported seeing a flaming object traveling from west to east around 2330 UTC (11:30 p.m.) on February 27, which then exploded and broke into two pieces. One witness heard two explosions. A second observer reported three explosions between 2230 and 2300 UTC, with a flash of light, strange noise, and a blazing trail that vanished. A third witness found pieces on February 28 but did not initially connect them to the explosions heard the previous night.

The metal fragments were thin, less than one-sixteenth of an inch, and charred. All pieces showed spot-welded seams that remained intact despite irregular tears across the metal surface. One larger, unconfirmed fragment was reported to be magnetized and weighed approximately 200 pounds. The Brazilian Air Force retained four pieces, and the Brazilian National Research Council held one. U.S. officials examined the recovered material.

On April 18, 1962, a captain at the Air Force Missile Test Center at Patrick Air Force Base in Florida identified the object as belonging to an Atlas missile. The center took necessary action for recovery and issued an explanation to Brazilian attachés. The stenciled markings and technical examination of the fragments confirmed the debris was of U.S. origin. U.S. embassy officials noted surprise that they had not been informed of the possibility that an Atlas missile might fall on Brazilian territory and requested an explanation of the incident.

The full case file, comprising 21 pages held by the National Archives, is reproduced below.