Approx200Misouthof New Orleans radar-visual unidentified-object report — November 5, 1957

Object(s) moved from 270 degrees to 310 degrees azimuth at altitude of 31,000 feet. GULF OF MEXICO, 5 NOVEMBER 1957 COAST GUARD CUTTER SEBAGO Unidentified Flying Object was observed at 0907, position 25.47° N 90.26° W. At 0935 the object disappeared on the bearings 020 degrees at 0907 bearing 153 degrees true, range 23 miles. At 1000 the object disappeared on the bearings 020 degrees, range 13 miles. Careful radar contacts were observed in a period of about 6 minutes, then disappeared; successive prop agation (false targets) is the most likely cause. If planes were flying at very low altitudes (below 1000 ft), they could "drop out" at distances around 92km. (Assuming ships' radar could not pick them up). c. "Second time around" signals might act like this - be erratic, and drop out at what looks like short ranges. d. Since 3 radar contacts were observed in a period of about 5 minutes, then disappeared, it seems more likely than anomalous propagation (false targets) is the answer. COMDR JACKSON FILTER CENTER JACKSON MISSISSIPPI UNKNOW PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS (12) (A) UNKNOWN REMARKS: (1) FULL REPORT ON SIGHTING BEING PASSED FROM GUTTER SEBAGO TO COAST GUARD HEADQUARTERS. (2) MR. LYOBRPT X CGC-SEBAGO WPG 42 REPORTS FOLLOWING AT 27/2552 X QUOTE X UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECT OBSERVED AT 23/19 X POSIT (23.47N 89.24W) X PAQO COURSE 223 DEGREES TRUE X FIRST CONTACT BY SPS RADAR BEARING 322 TRUE X 4 MILES X TARGET MOVING IN NORTH TO SOUTH DIRECTION X NO VISUAL OR AUDIBLE CONTACT X 23/33 TARGET CONTACT CLOSED TO 2 MILES RETURNED UP PORT SIDE FROM SOUTH TO NORTH X CONTACT LOST AT 23/45 X 23/46 CONTACT REGAINED BEARING 312 TRUE RANGE 22 MILES 23/53 FADE AT 198 TRUE 33 MILES (23225 CONTACT REGAINED BEARING 312 DEGREES TRUE RANGE (7 MILES) X TARGET APPEARED STATIONARY X 23/19 VISUAL CONTACT LOST X 23/56 TARGET ANGLE 31 DEGREES MOVING IN HORIZONTAL DIRECTION FROM SOUTH TO NORTH X VISUAL CONTACT HELD THROUGH 278 DEGREES TO 319 DEGREES APPROXIMATELY 3 SECONDS X OBJECT RESEMBLED BRILLIANT PLANET 6 KLICKS RNX OF SPS X LAST CONTACT BY RADAR BEARING 315 TRUE RANGE 4.75 MILES X 23:57S LOST CONTACT The text indicates that an unidentified flying object was observed at 23/19 at the position 23.47N 89.24W. The object was tracked on radar, with the target moving from south to north. Supporting case details: Reported special objects or artifacts: Radar system Physical traces or material: Radar data or reported radar return associated with Approx200Misouthof New Orleans radar-visual unidentified-object report — November 5, 1957 Electromagnetic or instrument effects: Radar or sensor detection