Meteor observed by aircraft over the Pacific in 1963

Summary

In February 1963, two Aloha Airlines aircraft reported a bright object entering the atmosphere over the Pacific Ocean near coordinates 21.26N 158.20W. The sighting occurred at an elevation of 45 degrees above the horizon, with the object moving rapidly in a northerly direction before burning out at 30 degrees above the horizon. Although no photographs were taken, the observation was confirmed by two separate aircraft.

The official conclusion suggested an astronomical meteor, though its complete decay was not recorded. The case was filed without further evaluation, but the detailed description and multiple confirmations make it a notable record of a natural phenomenon observed from the air. Such records help understand how aerial phenomena were classified during that era.