Unidentified flying object sighted near Jackson, Mississippi in 1967

Summary

In May 1967, a hydraulic engineer reported observing an unidentified flying object near Jackson, Mississippi. The incident occurred around 8:30 PM on May 17th, while the witness was returning to Washington, D.C. from Vicksburg. As they drove along Highway 80, the driver pointed out a slow-moving object in the sky at the same pace as the traffic. The witness described a rotating band of lights resembling a news ticker, but could not read any message. The object approached the highway, then accelerated eastward before disappearing behind trees. No noise was heard, and no other observers were noted, adding to the mystery.

The FAA responded to the report, noting that a Cessna 170A with an advertising sign was operating in the area during that week. However, the witness did not mention seeing the plane, suggesting the observed object might not have been conventional. The report ends without resolving the mystery, but clearly indicates the witness considered a simple explanation, though none was confirmed.