UFO tracked by RB-47 for 420 nautical miles

Summary

A U.S. Air Force RB-47 aircraft was followed by an unidentified object for 420 nautical miles on July 17, 1957. The object was visually observed by the crew as an intense blue light that remained with the aircraft for over an hour and a half. Although the RB-47's radar detected the object, ground radar failed to track it. The crew attempted an intercept without success, and the object disappeared near Oklahoma City. It was later identified as American Airlines Flight 655, but the exact nature of the phenomenon remains a mystery. The case was documented in official reports and analyzed by researchers, including Dr. James E. McDonald, who noted the lack of definitive conclusions.

The official report concluded the object was an aircraft, but the crew could not identify it with certainty. The correlation between visual observations and radar data suggests the object had unusual speed and maneuverability for a conventional aircraft. The case remains one of the most intriguing in UFO history, highlighting the difficulty of obtaining clear answers in unexplained aerial incidents.