Atlantic: Pan Am DC-6A evades glowing UFO
Captain Matthew A. Van Winkle of a Pan Am DC-6A spotted a bright greenish-white object on collision course 350 miles northeast of Jacksonville, forcing an evasive climb that injured four passengers. The Civil Aeronautics Board deemed it unexplained despite Air Force meteor claim.
Background
Incident
On March 9, 1957 at 4:33 local time, Captain Matthew A. Van Winkle, flying a Pan American World Airways DC-6A over the Atlantic about 350 miles northeast of Jacksonville, Florida, observed a round object with a greenish-white glow to the right of the aircraft. It appeared to be on a direct collision course, whereupon Van Winkle put the aircraft into a climb to avoid it. The manoeuvre threw four passengers from their seats and caused injuries.
Witnesses
Co-pilot Dion W. Taylor and flight engineer John Washuta confirmed the sighting. Washuta described it as a high-intensity light that held still for about four seconds before disappearing during the evasive manoeuvre. Ed Perry, pilot of Pan Am Flight 269 some 175 miles behind, saw it as well. Seven further flights reported something similar.
Official Response
Miami Air Traffic Control reported to the Civil Aeronautics Board: the object had a brilliant greenish-white core with a reflective outer ring. There was no missile or jet activity. The Air Force explained it as a meteor, but the CAB investigation closed it as unexplained.
Significance
The case points to risks to civil aviation from unexplained objects and shows discrepancies between official explanations.