UFO seen by pilot in 1959

Summary

A civilian pilot reported a bright object in February 1959, west of Phillipsburg, Pennsylvania. The object, described as a white flash the size of a basketball, slowly fell toward the ground. Three commercial airliners were in the area at the time. Although several explanations were considered, such as weather balloons or aircraft, investigators concluded it was a "para flare." This type of flare, used for illumination, has characteristics similar to those described by the witness. The lack of photos or additional data limited the possibility of a more precise evaluation, but experts' comments point to a conventional explanation.