1953 Sweetwater, NV - 8th Air Rescue Squadron Flight # 3183 and Ten Elliptical Objects

The crew of a C-47 (Flight #3183 DVFR) from the 8th Air Rescue Squadron was returning from Long Beach, California to Stead AFB, Reno, Nevada when they had a curious encounter 12 April 1953.  Observers of the incident were: Major Fred G. Padeford; 2nd Lt. Frank E. White; 2nd Lt. John Gripe. The C-47 was flying 10,500 feet, 300 degree heading at 140 mph. Objects when first observed appeared to be over the Sweetwater Airport, a small facility lacking radio contact.  The time was 1510 Pacific time. The skies were mostly clear with some haze in the distance.

The pilot and crew observed nine to ten objects, flat, round, metal gray (although pilots written statement says they were dark and grew darker as they neared the plane), and elliptical in shape, in changing formation.  They were estimated to be about 15 feet in diameter. They came on a course of 110 degrees (ESE-WNW) at an estimated 7500 feet altitude and a speed of approximately 500 knots (around 576 mph).  They flew under the aircraft and the C-47 made a sharp and tight 300 degree turn to the right to get a better view. The pilot and crew saw the objects for approximately two minutes. Note, at all times these objects were below the C-47. 

See the map by the pilot from the Project Blue Book files. The sighting garnered a lot of attention - basically because of the credibility of the pilot - it was a military sighting after all - and the details of the encounter. 

Despite the fact that a check with air traffic control near Sweetwater and around the area that indicated there was no other craft in the skies - it had to be an aircraft. The conclusion on the form indicates it was a probable aircraft despite the lack of any other craft in the area.