UFO sighted by pilot over the Azores in 1959

Summary

In September 1959, a pilot from Dover AFB observed an unusual aerial phenomenon over the Azores. It was a fireball with a blue-green tail estimated to be between 1,000 and 2,000 feet long. The object appeared suddenly, descending toward Earth at a much slower speed than a typical falling star. Although initially thought to be a rocket or meteor, the data did not allow for a definitive conclusion. The pilot saw it disintegrate in flames at around 12,000 feet, with an intense orange color.

The sighting was recorded as part of Project 10073, a U.S. Air Force program dedicated to the study of UFOs. Although a bolide was considered likely, the object's unusual speed and behavior raised doubts. The pilot's testimony, along with weather conditions and a detailed description of the event, contributed to an analysis that, while inconclusive, added another case to the long list of unidentified aerial phenomena.