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Air Intelligence Information Report AFXOI FLYOBRPT 5-52 (AF-487903): Capt. Casey Pierman, Capital Airlines, 20 July 1952
Director of Intelligence, Headquarters Tenth Air Force (NARA RG 341, Air Intelligence Reports, NAID 333336111) · 1952-07
Air Intelligence Information Report AFXOI FLYOBRPT 5-52 (AF-487903): Capt. Casey Pierman, Capital Airlines, 20 July 1952 · 6 pages · PDF 3.2 MB
US federal government record (USAF Air Intelligence Report, NARA RG 341; assembled from NARA page images). Public domain; hosted here so it can be read and searched. Original source ↗
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AF FORM 112 APPROVED t .1UNE 1948 CCXNTRY i ted S a4-e (éÜSsiFic - ibio EPO T NO. (LEA VE 7908 AIR INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION PORT SUBJECT Reporting. Information on Unidentified Flyinz Objects AREA REPORTED ON Washinctona D. C. DATE OF REPORT —31 July 1952 PREPAREÖÉY (Officer) FROM (Agency) Director of inteX14enoe. TIQS Tenth AF DATE OF INFORMATION 20 July 1952 c-2 (CAPITAL AIRLINES) 2ND LT. JANCZLP7SK1 REFERENCES (Cbntrol number, directive, previous report, etc., as applicable) AFÜN-C/CC-22 19 Decenber SUMMARY: concise summary of report. Gire significance in final one-sentence paragraph. List lower left. Begin text ofreport on AF Form 112—Part II.) This report contains information on unidentified flyinc objects as reported to this headquarters by CASEY of CAFITAL D3TROJT, 2. Subject report was by 2ND LT. CEORGL E. JÆCZL73K1 and it/sgt O. T. TAYLOR of the DIRECTORATE OF INTELLIGENCE, AIR FORCE, SELFRIDGE AIR FORCE BASE, MICIIIGAN. INCLS. Sketch CAPTAIN sichtinss DISTRIBUTION BY ORIGINATOR ATIC, Wricht-?att-ersoh AFE - 1 AFFROVED: A." -m stant Deputy for Operations DB, conac - D/l, Tenth - 1 NOTE: THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS INFORMATION AFFECTING THE NATIONAL DEFENSE OF THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OVTHE ESPIONAGE ACT. 50 U. S. C.— 31 AND 32. AS AMENDED. ITS TRANSMISSION ORTHE REVELATION OF ITS CONTENTS IN ANY MANNER TO AN UNAUTHORIZED PERSON IS PROHIBITED BY LAW. IT MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED IN WHOLE OR IN PART. BY OTHER THAN UNITED STATES AIR FORCE AGENCIES. EXCEPT BY PERMISSION OF THE DIRECTOR OF INTELLIGENCE. USAF. u. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE (4AssiFlCATIÖN) Declassification Authority: NND 57565
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AF FORM 112:-PART II
IFICATION)
APPROVED 1 JUNE 1948
AIR INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION REPORT
FROM (Agency)
Director of intelligence
nqs Tenth Air Force
REFORT NO.
AFXOI FLYCBRPT 5-52
PAGE
1
2
PAGS
1. On 20 July 1952 at 0555B, CAFTAIN casrgy of CAHTAL
was in the cockpit of his DC-I aircraft performing a check list prior to take-
off from WASHINGTON NATIONAL AIRPORT, ViAS111LIGTCN D.C. The aircraft was on the
parking ramp heading 0200.
CAETAIN Fl ERKAN looked up and observed a clear
bluish white licht travel from 1900 to 0100 at a 300 anele above the horizon
in horizontal fli _ ht until it disappeared in the distance. CAFTAIN• Fl ERVIN
stated that he had to turn his head slowly through a 1450 quadrant in order to
observe the object while in its flight and estimates that he observed it for
five (5) seconds or less.
CAFTAIN states that he did not attach any
significance to this 1 icht until later events demanded attention to it.
2. Imrnediately after performing his check list, CAY TAIN FIERI.J.A!J took off
from AIRPORT on a 0? 1500 and climbed to 1200'
before making a right turn on course 3300. Upon gaining 1200t and courge 3300
CAPTAIN Fl stated that he switched over from Tower Control to AIR7AY
TRAFFIC CONTROL CB'-JTQ (Atcc) at WASHI'ÅGTON AiRFCRT. At this time
ATCC informed him that their radar scope indicated two or three objects on the
screen traveling at high speeds. ATCC instructed CAPTAIN Fl SFYAN to steer
2900 go as to intercept the objects which were approximately nine (9) miles
ahead of him. At this time CAY TAIN rate of climb was approximately
600t per minute and his altitude wag between 3500t and 24000t •
3. inunediately after ATCC instructed CAPTAIN k I ERI.•-AN t..o steer ccurse 2900
he stated that the followinc events occured within minutes in the order in
Thich presented and at the approximate time intervals as indicated:
a. minutes after take-off — ATCC informed pilot that objects
were five (5) miles distant dead ahead.
b. seconds later — ATCC informed pilot that objects were four
(b) miles distant dead ahead.
seconds later — ATCC informed that objects were at ten
(IO) o'clock. At thig time pilot stated he plainly observed a DC—L type air—
craft at ten (10) ot clock level rroceedine in the opposite direction.
information he reported to ATCC.
- COPILOT CEARLES observed one (1)
d. 14—5 minutes later
object bluish white in color in a twenty—five decree (250) dive from northeast
to g cathwegt travelling at .a tremendous rate of speed. The copilot told
CAFTAIN that he could neither estimate from what altitude the object
began its descent nor what altitude it faded. CAPTAIN FiEiC{AN stated that
at this time his altitude was @OOt and he could look down almost vertically and
see CHARLES VEST VIRGIÄIA.
upon sighting CIIAQLES CAFTAiN and his
e.
copilot observed a brilliant bluish white light flash past from high over his
left and disal}Eear in level flight dead ahead travellinz at a tremendous rate
of speed and to be outside the earth's atmosphere.
Next CA} TAIN FIER.VAN and his copilot observed a brilliant bluish
White 1 i Eht reappear where the last Iight had disappeared and flash from
NOTE: THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS INFORMATION AFFECTING THE NATIONAL DEFENSE OF THE UNITED srATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE ESPIONAGE ACT. 50 U. S. C.—
31 AND 2. AS AMENDED. ITS TRANSMISSION OR THE ROJELATION OF ITS CONTENTS IN ANY MANNER TO AN UNAUTHORIZED PERSON IS PROHIBITED BY LAW.
IT MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED IN WHOLE OR IN PART. BY OTHER THAN UNITED STATES AIR FORCE AGENCIES. EXCEPT BY PERMISSION OF THE DIRECTOR OF
INTELLIGENCE. USAF.
CLASSIÉICATION)
10—65570-1 0. s. eovnxurut emcc
Declassification Authority: NND 57565Page 5
AF FORM 112—PART II APPROVED 1 JUNE1948 FROM (Agencv) AIR INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION REPORT Director of Intelli cence H s Tenth Air Force RETORT NO. AFXOI FLYOBR?T 5-52 PAGE 2 2 3 PAGES right to left at approximately 800 above the horizon and travelling at a tremendous rate of speed. 'Elis 1 icht also appeared to be outside the earthts atmosphere. CAFTAIN F IEZKAN stated that he may have seen as many as seven (7) objects during as many minutes but due to the fact that things were happening so he had no way of keeping an accurate account of the number o? objects. TENTH AIR FORCE DiRßCTOR OF 1. The interrocators, LT JANCZL"XSKI and Y:/SGT TAYLOR, are of the opinion that CAPTAIN is reliable and conscientious. Ee has been a pilot for twenty—four (d4) years and has piloted for CAPITAL AIRLINES for seventeen (17) years. CAFTAIiV stated that during all his years as a pilot he has never seen anything that would cowpare with the objects mentioned in this report. lie further stated that he is thorouchly convinced that the objects he observed were traveling at such tremendous skeeds that he would not attempt to estimate the rate of their speeds • 2. CAPTAIN stated that the AICC at AIRPORT had the objects on the radar e cope. Due to such an unusual circumstance there is a possibility that scope photographs were made providing the -equipment was available. 3. CAPTAIü also stated that ATCC contacted the tower at BOLLING It is not AIR FORCE BASB And queried them o? any knowledce of the objects. known if any such targets had been plotted by BOLLING AIR FORCE BASE ihe following is offered as a suzestion: Due to the tremendous speeds of the objects and the' inability of the observers to determine the exact altitudes or even if the objects obgerved were in the earth's atmosphere there is a possibility that there is some connection between a previous report (AFXOI FLYCR?T 24—52) and this report since they occured at approximately the game time. Ceiling — Unlimited Visibility — IO miles Clouds — Ilesative Winds: knots Surface — 3600/20 knots 5,000' - 3500/16 knots 10, OCO - 5100/25 knots 20,000' — 3100 A2 knots 30,000' Lo,ooot - 2900/146 knots GEORGE H. JANCZLTSKI USAF Director cf Intelligence NOTE: THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS INFORMATION AFFECTING THE NATIONAL DEFENSE OF THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE ESPIONAGE ACT. 50 U. S. C.— 31 AND 32. AS AMENDED. ITS TRANSMISSION OR THE REVELATION OF ITS CONTENTS IN ANY MANNER TO AN UNAUTHORIZED PERSON IS PROHIBITED BY LAW. IT MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED IN WHOLE OR IN PART. BY OTHER THAN UNITED STATES AIR FORCE AGENCIES. EXCEPT BY PERMISSION OF THE DIRECTOR OF INTELLIGENCE. USAF. (CUSSIFICATION) 10—55070-1 U. S. GOVERNMENT omce Declassification Authority: NND 57565
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3 SH//'DGTO/C) 2 O CONFIDENT!AÜ BALTIMORE , nJ4FZ o INCL. I O CAPTAIN PIERMAN WAS MAKING A CHECK LIST PRIOR TO TAKEOFF AT 05552, 20' JULY 52, WHILE HIS DC-4 AIRCRAFT WAS ON THE PARKING RAMP HEADING 0200 WHEN HE OBSERVED A BLUISH WHITE LIGHT TRAVELING FROM 190' TO 0100 AT A 30' ANGLE. @ CAPTAIN PIERMAN CLIMBED TO 1200 FT. AFTER TAKING OFF ON HEADING 1800 AND MADE A RIGHT TURN ON COURSE 330! O. ATCO, WASHINGTON NATIONAL AIRPORT INSTRUCTED CAPT. PIERMAN TO STEER 290' TO INTERCEPT TWO(2) OR THREE (3) OBJECTS WHICH HAD BEEN PICKED UP ON THER RADAR SCOPE APPROXIMATELY NINE (9) MILES AHEAD OF CAPTAIN PIERMAN. @ ATCO INFORMED CAPT PERMAN OBJECTS WERE FIVE (5) MILES "DEAD AHEAD." @ AICC INFORMED THE PILOT OBJECTS WERE FOUR (4) MILES "DEAD AHEAD." @ONE (t) TO THREE (3) SECONDS LATER ATCC INFORMED PILOT OBJECTS WERE AT TEN (IO) O'CLOCK. CAPI PERMAN THEN OBSERVED A DC-4 AIRCRAFT AT TEN (IO) Ott-OCK WHICH HE PEPORTED TO ATCO. O FOUR (4) TO FIVE (5) MINUTES LATER CO-PILOT CHARLES WHEATON OBSERVED ONE (l) BLUISH WHITE LIGHT IN A TWENTY-FIVE DEGREE (250) DIVE FROM NORTHEAST TO SOUTHWEST TRAVELING AT A TREMENDOUS SPEED. @PILOT a CO-PILOT OBSERVED BRILLIANT BLUISH WHITE FLASH BY FROM OVER THIER LEFT a DISAPPEAR IN LEVEL FLIGHT "DEAD AHEAD" AT TREMENDOUS SPEED a APPARENTLY OUTSIDE THE EARTH'S ATMOSPHERE, ACCORDING TO CAPT. PIERMAN. PILOT CO-PILOT OBSERVED BLUISH WHITE LIGHT FLASH BY FROM RIGHT TO LEFT WHERE THE LAST LIGHT HAD DISAPPEARED AT APPROXI- MATLEY 80' ABOVE HORIZON TRAVELIÅG AT A TREMENDOUS RATE OF SPEED THIS OBJECT ALSO APPEARED BEYOND THE EARTH'S ATMOSPHERE. Declassification Authority: NND 57565
Record
- Author / institution
- Director of Intelligence, Headquarters Tenth Air Force (NARA RG 341, Air Intelligence Reports, NAID 333336111)
- Date
- 1952-07
- Source type
- Declassified official records (Air Intelligence Report)
- Used for
- Pierman's own account, taken by Air Force intelligence: lights seen from Washington National at 0555Z on 20 July 1952, ATCC radar vectors, and the lights he and copilot Charles Wheaton saw near Charles Town, WV (p. 4, report page 1 of 2). Hosted on this site.
- Limitations
- Assembled by this site from NARA's six page images (TIFF), re-encoded as grayscale JPEG at about 190 dpi to fit the file limit; NARA's images are the originals.