Cylindrical UFO seen in Mesa, Arizona

Summary

In April 1967, a professional photographer in Mesa, Arizona, observed a cylindrical object in the sky. The witness, experienced in aviation and equipped with photography gear, described the object as gray with an orange light that intensified until it burst into flames. Burning particles fell vertically, with no sound or smoke. The object remained visible for three to five minutes, and the witness took a photo using a tripod. The detailed description and photographic evidence add credibility to the sighting.

The military report considered the possibility that the object was a homemade hot-air balloon, common in the area. Children used plastic bags from dry cleaners to create such balloons, which could explain the observed behavior. However, the photograph clearly captured the object ascending and its final trajectory, with particles falling. Although a terrestrial explanation was considered, the precise description and visual evidence left no doubts about the nature of the phenomenon.