Little Rock, Ark., February 1949 - Incident Number: 259February 1949

Insufficient Data

Summary

Three residents of Little Rock, Arkansas, reported seeing an unusual object near their home in the early morning hours of February 25, 1949. The sighting began at 0030 (12:30 a.m.) and lasted about half an hour.

According to witness statements, the object appeared directly overhead as a flat, perfectly round disc measuring roughly 30 to 50 feet across. The entire disc was outlined by what the witnesses described as radiation or luminescence, allowing them to see its shape clearly despite the darkness. The object's altitude was estimated at 10,000 to 12,000 feet. The witnesses could not determine the disc's color because of the darkness.

The object moved in highly unusual ways. During the observation period, it repeatedly stopped and reversed direction. At one point it appeared to rise suddenly straight upward for several thousand feet before returning to its normal altitude. No sound was heard from the object, and no exhaust trail was observed. However, one witness reported seeing what appeared to be a vertical beam or ray of light extending from the object to the ground at one moment. When the object finally left the area around 0100 (1:00 a.m.), it departed at high speed toward the south-southeast.

The investigation included examination of weather data, aircraft traffic in the region, and other potential conventional explanations. Weather balloons released by the local U.S. Weather Bureau were tracked. Commercial airline flights in the area were identified and logged. A lighted airway beacon and searchlight activity were also checked. The file notes that the three witnesses were well known in their community and of good character, and that they made no attempt to publicize the sighting.

The complete case file of 21 pages is reproduced below as held by the National Archives.

Reported location

Little Rock, Ark., February 1949 - Incident Number: 259

Date of incident

February 1949

State / country

? / XX

Page count

21 scanned pages

USAF evaluation

unknown

Microfilm

T1206, Roll 4

Original case file scans

Original case file · scanned by NARAPage 1 of 21

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Source: National Archives Catalog · NAID 28933374