UFO seen as fireball near Smethport

Summary

A civilian observer described a round, reddish object the size of a basketball, resembling a ball of fire with a dark center. The event occurred at 4:20 AM on October 19, 1960, about 8 miles south of Smethport, Pennsylvania. The object was moving at high speed northeast, and the witness saw it reflect off their car. Although the sighting lasted less than a minute, it caused some local concern. Military personnel arrived at the area hours later but found no evidence of crashes or fires. The report concluded it was likely a meteorite, though the description didn't fully match typical meteor observations.

The area was clear and windless, with 7 miles visibility, making any bright object visible. The official report classified it as "possibly a meteorite," but balloon or aircraft possibilities were not ruled out. However, the observer's testimony, noting they had never seen a flame of that color before, added some mystery. Despite investigations, no physical evidence was found, and the case remains unsolved.