Klamath Falls, OregonApril 1953

On the evening of April 28, 1953, a civilian observer in Klamath Falls, Oregon watched a bright white object streak across the sky for about five seconds. The object appeared round and moved at high speed in a steep dive. It disappeared behind a mountain top, with the observer noting that it seemed brighter than a typical falling star or meteorite.

The observer reported the sighting from a location roughly 30 miles away from the object, which the observer estimated to be at about 9,000 feet altitude in the west-southwest direction. The sighting occurred at 1900 PST (7:00 p.m.). The Air Force later noted that weather conditions at Klamath Falls included broken clouds with a base around 4,500 feet and 30-mile visibility, with winds aloft measured at various altitudes.

The Air Force investigated by contacting the 25th Air Division, which reported no unidentified radar tracks in the area at the time of the sighting. Information was also relayed to McChord Flight Service Center via Klamath Falls' civilian weather and radio facilities. No other aircraft activity was reported in the area.

The Air Force concluded the sighting was likely a meteor, noting that "the intensity and speed is typical of a meteor." No physical evidence was collected, and no further identification or interception action was taken. The full case file, comprising nine pages as held by the National Archives, is reproduced below.