UFO sighted at Pope AFB in 1958

Summary

In November 1958, air traffic control personnel at Pope Air Force Base in North Carolina observed an unusual aerial phenomenon. The object, described as round, bluish white, and grapefruit-sized, appeared at night and was seen for 20 minutes. Witnesses, using binoculars, confirmed the object was on a collision course with a KB-50 aircraft during its final approach. The pilot reported strange lights in his cockpit, raising concerns about a potential aerial hazard.

Although a balloon or astronomical event were considered, weather data and wind direction supported the balloon hypothesis. However, witnesses insisted the object was not ordinary and its behavior was atypical. The stereoscopic camera available in the tower was not used due to the excitement of the moment, and by the time it was retrieved, the object had vanished. This case remains an unresolved mystery.