February 6, 1953 — Rosalia, WA
1:34 a.m. A B-36 aircraft piloted by Maj. Leo J. Moffatt is over Rosalia, Washington, when he sees one round white omnidirectional light at an altitude of approximately 7,000 feet on a southeast course, circling and rising as it proceeds. It is visually observed for a period of 3–5 minutes. The B-36 makes a 180° descending turn toward the light, which is estimated to be moving at a speed of 170–230 mph. Blue Book explains it as a weather balloon launched from Geiger Field [now Spokane International Airport]. [Eberhart]
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Sources:
Brad Sparks, Blue Book Unknowns Files, Case 926, p. 192;
Donald Keyhoe, Flying Saucers From Outer Space, 1953, p. 240;
Donald Menzel, The World of Flying Saucers, 1963, p. 46;
NICAP, “B-36 Encounters Light at 7,000ʹ”;
James E. McDonald, “Statement on Unidentified Flying Objects,” in Symposium on Unidentified Flying Objects, Hearings, US House Committee on Science and Astronautics, 90th Cong., 2nd Sess., July 29, 1968, pp. 67–68;
