733667-001-003-0037

325 Langton Avenue Los Altos, CA 94022 February 16, 1987 Steve Hayes Public Affairs Office FAA - Headquarters Washington, D.C, Dear Mr. Hayes: Before I explain My reason for writing to you let me explain that 1am a full time NASA scientist (now in management) at Ames Research Center and have worked with the FAA on several projects including head-up display (Flight Standards, Hqs.), Iamalso a member of the International Society of Air Safety Investigators and have served on an FAA investigation (for the NTSB) of the China airlines (flt. 007) some time ago, My ongoing personal hobby is that of uniden-~ tified aerial phenomena; my specialty is that of sightings by pilots, My files now number over 3,000 cases. Ibelieve that a colleague of mine, Dr. Bruce Maccabee spoke with you recently concerning the Japan Airlines flight 1628 incident of 17 November 1986 over Alaska, He filled me in on a number of radar track details which are very useful in my flight path reconstruction. He also indicated that the FAA may release the voice tape transcript of that incident and the full file, Iam now writing to obtain a copy of this voice transcript for my further study and the entire case file. Of course I will be glad to pay for all copying charges, While I can imagine that you would rather just get on with your other work and forget this incident, I imagine that you would be interested in reading my case report when it is finished. Of course I will be pleased to send you a copy. Thanks for anything you may be willing to share with me, On another related matter, I understand that central Alaska experienced another strange sighting by an Air Force crew and the crew of an Alaskan Airlines com-= mercial flight in January or early February 1987. What do you know about this later incident? A colleage at Stanford University is helping to obtain satellite coverage for the November 17, 1986 incident and I would like to save time and ex- pense by also ordering it for the second incident if possible. Another professional meteorologist is doing a weather reconstruction so I can recalqlate the JAL flight path, etc. I spent about 3 hours by phone with Capt. Terauchi and he was very cooperative, considering my long list of technical questions. Apparently he is now back in Tokyo and doesn't want to talk anymore, which I can fully understand, My phone has also been very busy on this matter. Finally, does the FAA plan to keep the radar tape of the November 17th incident? How about the more recent incident? 1 plan to be in Washington on NASA business in March or early April and would very much like to come by to see it myself, just to clear up some unresolved guestions. Thanks for your consideration of my questions and requests. I will look forward to hearing from you. | Very si rely, [Zl Richard F, Haines, Ph.D. Research Consultant