Tampa, Fla., February 1950February 1950

On the night of February 8, 1950, near Tampa, Florida, multiple aircraft crews reported seeing an unidentified object moving at extremely high speed. The sighting occurred at approximately 2345 EST (11:45 p.m.) and was witnessed by the pilot of a B-29 bomber, two Eastern Airlines pilots, and at least one passenger on the B-29. All witnesses independently reported the same basic facts to air traffic control.

Major Holly W. Anderson, the B-29 pilot, provided the most detailed account. He was descending toward MacDill Air Force Base on a heading of 201 degrees when he noticed what initially appeared to be a meteor approaching from the left side of his aircraft. The object did not burn out like a typical meteor. Instead, it continued on a straight, level course toward the west. Anderson estimated its speed at more than 2000 mph. He described the object as rocket-shaped, with a bright flame trailing behind it for approximately 300 feet, which then faded into a dull glow. The flame's width compared to its length was roughly 1 to 10, meaning if the flame was 300 feet long, it was about 30 feet wide. Anderson watched the object cross in front of his plane before it vanished straight ahead on its westerly course. He immediately radioed the information to Tampa Approach Control.

The two Eastern Airlines pilots, L. C. Cloney and J. S. Crier, independently corroborated Anderson's report, each confirming they saw the object traveling on a westerly heading. Weather conditions at the time were clear skies with some haze in the lower atmosphere. No sound was reported by any witness, and the object was not photographed. The Air Force file notes that no further investigative action was taken at the local level, though the report was forwarded to higher headquarters for consideration.

The complete case file, comprising 6 pages as held by the National Archives, is reproduced below.