1954 UFO, Object with Flame in West Virginia

Summary

In April 1954, an observer in Greenbrier, West Virginia, spotted an object trailing bright white and orange flame. The object was seen for 15 seconds and estimated to be traveling at over 7000 miles per hour. Although the report includes no photos or physical evidence, investigators concluded it was likely a meteor. This case was recorded under Project 10073, a U.S. Air Force program dedicated to the study of unidentified flying objects.

The report notes that the object was moving on a 360-degree true course at an approximate altitude of 22,000 feet. A pilot at 19,000 feet also observed it, suggesting the phenomenon was visible from different altitudes. Despite the high speed and intense brightness, experts considered it a common astronomical event, such as a meteor entering Earth's atmosphere.