UFO sighted over San Diego in 1966

Summary

In December 1966, several witnesses in San Diego reported sightings of unidentified flying objects. A Navy pilot, John H. Schmitt, described seeing four bright orange objects moving in formation and periodically stopping. The observation lasted nine minutes and no sound was heard. Later, another witness, Donald R. Carr, a mechanical engineer, submitted a detailed report on similar sightings on December 19 and 20, describing objects that glowed and dropped luminous material before disappearing.

The investigation concluded that the objects were hot air balloons, possibly made with plastic bags and a heat source. A radio announcer even found one of these balloons on the ground, partially burned. Despite multiple sightings and reports, authorities determined there was no physical evidence and that the sightings could be explained as a hoax or natural phenomenon.