TR-3-50 — 1950-02-01 — Approximately 120 miles northeast of Atka Island, Alaska (53

On 1 February 1950 at approximately 0555Z, while flying a MATS C-54 (Bu.No. 45630) on Green Airway No. 8 at 9,000 feet, 1st Lt. Sofet observed an object appear to burst about 2,000-3,000 feet above and slightly right of the aircraft at an estimated 5 miles. The elliptical red-cored, white-fringed object descended freely without parachute, diminishing in size and turning white as it fell. It illuminated the cabin momentarily and disappeared into the undercast at 8,000 feet after about two minutes. 1st Lt. Cornell, the pilot, also observed it and ruled out a meteor due to lack of buffeting. He climbed to the astrodome but saw no other aircraft, then fired an answering flare series. Director of Intelligence Alaskan Air Command commented the object was possibly a flare or a meteorite.

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