UFO sighted by pilot in 1960

Summary

A U.S. Air Force pilot reported a luminous phenomenon resembling a shooting star in 1960. The sighting occurred 111 miles east of Kansas City, Missouri, while the pilot was flying at 35,000 feet. The object left a bright trail that increased in intensity until it disappeared near the observer’s eye level. Although considered possibly astronomical, the description stood out for its nearly vertical trajectory and intense white glow, similar to a magnesium flare.

The report classifies the event as possibly astronomical, but does not rule out other explanations. The testimony from the officer, a Brigadier General, adds weight to the account, though no photos or radar were used. The case was filed without a definitive conclusion, but with observations suggesting an unusual natural phenomenon.