CAA air traffic controllers R. M. Kaser and E. G. Brink saw a highly maneuverable 15-20 feet egg-shaped object, with a white light at its base, circle over the west end of the base at 150-200 mph and come down in a steep 30° dive as if landing on Runway 26, to the north or northwest of the tower at about 1500 feet. Radar tracked part of this maneuver. The object then crossed the flight line, runways and taxiways, heading towards the tower at about 50 mph and 20-30 feet above ground. It was observed through 7x binoculars until it reached about 3,000 feet to the ENE, near the northeast corner of the floodlit restricted nuclear Weapons Storage Area (Area D / Drumhead Area), and a B-58 bomber service site. There it hovered for 20 seconds to one minute, then headed east again, at about 200-300 feet height, then suddenly shot up at a steep climb at about 45,000 feet/minute. Controllers contacted RAPCON which tracked the object on the CPN-18 radar, traveling east, then turning south, circling the Albuquerque Low Frequency Range Station, then heading north. It then followed one half mile behind a USAF C-46 that had just taken off to the south for 14 miles until both went off the scope. A hovering radar target then appeared to the north over the outer marker for 1-1/2 minutes before fading. The sighting, in overcast weather at an airfield, was by over three male witnesses, typical age 38, and by radar, for over 25 minutes (Brink, E G; Kaser, R M).

Condon Report: 19-X. [361-B]. Kirtland AFB, Albuquerque, N.M., 4 Nov. 1957, 2245-2305 LST. Weather: scattered clouds with high overcast, visibility good, thunder-storms and rain showers in vicinity, light rain over airfield. Observers in the CAA (now FAA) control tower saw an unidentified dark object with a white light underneath, about the "shape of an automobile on end," that crossed the field at about 1500 ft. and circled as if to come in for a landing on the E-W runway. This unidentified object appeared to reverse direction at low altitude, while out of sight of the observers behind some buildings, and climbed suddenly to about 200-300 ft., heading away from the field on a 120° course. Then it went into a steep climb and disappeared into the overcast.

The Air Force view is that this UFO was a small, powerful private aircraft, flying without flight plan, that became confused and attempted a landing at the wrong airport. The pilot apparently realized his error when he saw a brightly-lit restricted area, which was at the point where the object reversed direction. The radar blip was described by the operator as a "perfectly normal aircraft return," and the radar track showed no characteristics that would have been beyond the capabilities of the more powerful private aircraft available at the time. There seems to be no reason to doubt the accuracy of this analysis.

Hynek: Report of this incident in the Blue Book files is as follows:

At 050545 Z November, both SOURCES were on duty alone in the control tower at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico; this tower is slightly over 100 feet high. One of the controllers looked up to check cloud conditions and noticed a white light traveling east between 150 and 200 miles per hour at an altitude of approximately 1500 feet on Victor 12. SOURCE then called the radar station and asked for an identification of the object.

The radar operator reported that the object was on an approximate 90-degree azimuth from the observer; it disappeared on 180-degree azimuth from the tower observer. The object angled across the east end of runway 26 in a southwesterly direction and began a sharp descent. One SOURCE gave a radio call in an attempt to contact what was believed to be an unknown aircraft that had become confused about a landing pattern.

A LOGAIR C-46 had just called in for landing instructions. The object was then observed through binoculars and appeared to have the shape of "an automobile on end." This was estimated to be 15 to 18 feet high. One white light was observed at the lower side of the object. The object slowed to an estimated speed of 50 miles per hour and disappeared behind a fence at "Dreamland," a restricted area which is brilliantly floodlighted. This is approximately one-half mile from the control tower.

It reappeared moving eastward, and one SOURCE gave it a green light from the tower, thinking it might be a helicopter in distress. The object at this point was at an altitude of 200 to 300 feet; it then veered in a southeasterly direction, ascended abruptly at an estimated rate of climb of 4,500 feet per minute, and disappeared. SOURCE stated the object climbed "like a jet," faster than any helicopter. (SOURCE estimated this rate of climb.)

Although there were scattered clouds with a high overcast, visibility was good. Surface winds were variable at 10 to 30 knots. SOURCES observed the object for five or six minutes, approximately half of which was through binoculars.

Both SOURCES, interviewed simultaneously, made identical replies to all questions, and gave identical accounts of the sighting. Both appeared to be mature and well-poised individuals, apparently of well above average intelligence, and temperamentally well qualified for the demanding requirements of control tower operators. Although completely cooperative and willing to answer any questions, both SOURCES appeared to be slightly embarrassed that they could not identify or offer an explanation of the object which they are unshakably convinced they saw. In the opinion of the interviewer both SOURCES are considered completely competent and reliable.

…(Another) observer was called by tower operator to identify object near east end of east-west runway. Object was on an approximate 90-degreeazimuth from the observer. Object disappeared on 180-azimuthfrom observer. Object was first sighted on the approximate east boundary at KAFB on an east-southeast heading, where it reversed in course to a west heading and proceeded to the Kirtland low-frequency range station\, where object began to orbit. From the range station object took northwest heading at high rate of speed and disappeared at approximately ten miles from observer.

…About 20 minutes after disappearance, an AF C-46 4718N took off to the west, making left turn out; at this time observer scanned radar to the south and saw the object over the outer marker approximately four miles south of north-south runway. Object flew north at high rate of speed toward within a mile south of east-west runway, where he made an abrupt turn to the west and fell into trail formation with the C-46. Object maintained approximately one-half mile separation from the C-46 on a southerly heading for approximately 14 miles. Then object turned up north to hover over the outer marker for approximately one and one-half minutes and then faded from scope. Total duration of radar sighting: 20 minutes.

The opinion of the preparing officer is that this object may possibly have been an unidentified aircraft, possibly confused by the runways at Kirtland Air Force Base. The reasons for this opinion are:

1. The observers are considered competent and reliable sources and in the opinion of this interviewer actually saw an object they could not identify.

2. The object was tracked on a radarscope by a competent operator.

3. The object does not meet identification criteria for any other phenomena.

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