UFO seen near Williams AFB in 1953

Summary

A civilian pilot reported a silver disc-shaped object near Williams AFB in Arizona on March 31, 1953. The object was observed for only 10 seconds and was moving at a high speed toward the southeast. The pilot estimated it to be about 23 feet in diameter and at an altitude of 5,000 feet. Although no photos or physical evidence were collected, officials concluded it could have been a weather balloon. A pibell balloon was scheduled to be launched in Phoenix just 15 minutes before the sighting, supporting this explanation. The pilot, who had experience as both a civilian and military pilot, described the object in detail, though the extreme speed made it hard to see clearly.