SELMA, ALA., October 1952October 1952

Insufficient Data

Summary

On October 19, 1952, from about 5:00 p.m. to 5:25 p.m. Eastern time, many civilians near Selma, Alabama, reported a bright object that left a bright trail in the sky to the west. The object was in two parts: a short trail like an aircraft contrail and an object that detached from the trail. Both parts were notably brilliant, and the trail was remarkable for its short length.

The object's altitude was estimated at 35,000 to 45,000 feet, and no sound was heard. Ceiling and visibility were unlimited and the sun was low in the west. Most witnesses thought the brilliance came from sunlight reflecting off a high-flying aircraft. One witness, a lieutenant, thought it generated its own light and watched it about 30 to 40 seconds; he said it ended in a dull reddish glow that wobbled and disappeared.

Flight Service reported high-speed aircraft operating in the area at that time, and tower personnel at Craig Air Force Base reported a jet passed over the base about 5:25 p.m. The report concludes the incident can be explained as a high-speed, high-altitude airplane made remarkable by an unusual angle to the sun and observers. The record card lists the conclusion as aircraft.

Reported location

SELMA, ALA., October 1952

Date of incident

October 1952

State / country

? / XX

Page count

4 scanned pages

USAF evaluation

unknown

Microfilm

T1206, Roll 16

Original case file scans

Original case file · scanned by NARAPage 1 of 4

View transcribed text

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: . PROJECT 10073 RECORD CARD E
: 3 . eet EBA -e a ad a EE EE LE Pye, | K
| V. OATE ( 12 LOCATION Pa 12 CONCLUSIONS | |
| 19 Oct 52 SELMA, ALA, {0 Was Rallson |.
: | i J Probably Boitloon 4
| SOME TNERRTIR TA TYRE OF CBSEAVATION : REISE Tm 1 ;
Laget _. 19/1700 EST LXE ound. Visval 3 Ground-Rodor XX Wes Aircraly i ]
19/2200 Z cd Probably Arrcrate i 4
: OMY oa na ‘0 Ain Visual Q Airintarcapt Radar |G Possibly Aireralr ! 4
TI 8. SOURCE a ‘3d Was Astronamicot | 1
Q Yes 10 Probably Astranomical E
: 3% No Varied Civilians | Q Possibly Astronomicni
| 7. LENGTH 57 OBSCAVATION |. NUMIER OF OBJEGTS + 9. COURSE ~~ 2 Crther 11 8
bhi | \ 9 insufficient Dota for Evaivation | 1
: | Q Unk 4
| 25 Min, | STR | nN
No. BRIEF SUMMARY GF SIGHTING 1. COMMENTS AE RRR Ar GET s
: A
Bright object which left bright trail was 1. Interesting report and a good 1
observed by many civilian observers. Some | on-the-spot analysis, :
sources believe phenomena to be high flying i 3
a/c leaving vapor trail which was illuminsted
by sunset, | .
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Source: National Archives Catalog · NAID 28950886