Project Blue Book Case File
Shady Oaks, LouisianaNovember 1958
Summary
On November 18, 1958, near Shady Oaks, Louisiana, a civilian highway worker reported a light in the sky. The sighting lasted about 7 minutes. The location was near the village on the old Marysville Road, about 2 miles northwest of Kolin, Louisiana.
The object first appeared as a stationary white light, about the brightness of a light bulb or star, suspended over a house and tree. When it began to move, it suddenly appeared as a dipper shape, somewhat like a helicopter, about the size of a baseball or grapefruit. It changed from one light to five or six less intense lights. It made no noise. Its speed was estimated between 350 and 450 miles per hour as it curved sharply and moved away, disappearing behind trees.
The night was dark with a partly cloudy moon. A check showed no Air Force or Army helicopters flying at that time. A weather balloon from a nearby base had been reported found, though it was not known if it carried a light. The wing intelligence officer concluded a weather balloon was the most likely solution. The Air Force listed the case as probably an aircraft or balloon.
Reported location
Shady Oaks, Louisiana
Date of incident
November 1958
State / country
LA / US
Page count
5 scanned pages
USAF evaluation
unknown
Microfilm
T1206, Roll 34