733667-001-012-0003
AI Summary
This document provides a chronological account of the alleged UAP sightings reported by Japan Airlines Flight 1628 on November 18, 1986, detailing interactions between the flight crew and air traffic control regarding unidentified traffic.
Key Findings
- Japan Airlines Flight 1628 reported unidentified traffic in close proximity. - The traffic was confirmed by radar at various points during the flight. - The pilot described the unidentified object as large and descending in formation. - Air traffic control coordinated with military operations to track the object. - The object was lost from radar tracking but remained in visual range for the flight crew.
OCR Text
ee ( \ 0219 0225 0226 0227 0231 0232 0235 0236 0238 0239 0242 0244 0245 0248 DEG 18 1986 The following is a chronological summary of the alleged aircraft sightings by Japan Airlines Flight 1628, on November 18, 1986: All times listed are approximate UTC unless otherwise specified. The pilot of JL1628 requested traffic information from the ZAN Sector 15 controller. When the controller advised there was no traffic in the vicinity, JL1628 responded that they had same direction traffic, approximately 1 mile in front, and it appeared to be at _ their altitude. When queried about any identifiable markings, the pilot responded that they could only see white and yellow strobes. JL1628 informed ZAN that the traffic was now visible on their radar, in their 11 o'clock position at 8 miles. ZAN contacted the Military Regional Operations Control Center, (ROCC), and asked if they were receiving any radar returns near the position of JL1628. The ROCC advised that they were receiving a primary radar return in JL1628's 10 o'clock position at 8 miles. The ROCC contacted ZAN to advise they were no longer receiving any radar returns in the vicinity of JL1628. JL1628 advised that the “plane” was “quite big”, at which time the ZAN controller approved any course deviations needed to avoid the traffic. JL1628 requested and received a descent from FL350 to FL310. When asked if the traffic was descending also, the pilot stated it was descending “in formation”. JL1628 requested and received a heading change to two one zero. The aircraft was now in the vicinity of Fairbanks and ZAN contacted Fairbanks Approach Control asking if they had any radar returns near JL1628's position. The Fairbanks Controller advised they did not. JL1628 was issued a 360 degree turn and asked to inform ZAN if the traffic stayed with them. The ROCC called ZAN advising they had confirmed a "flight of two” in JL1628's position. They advised they had some “other equipment -watching this”, and one was a primary target only. JL1628 told ZAN they no longer had the traffic in sight. The ROCC advised it looked as though the traffic had dropped back and to the right of JL1628, however, they were no longer tracking it. JL1628 advised the traffic was now at 9 o'clock ZAN issued a 10 degree turn to a northbound United Airlines flight, after pilot concurrence, in an attempt to confirm the traffic. JL1628 told ZAN the traffic was now at 7 o'clock, 8 miles.
Metadata
- Agency
- —
- Classification
- UNCLASSIFIED
- Department
- National Archives and Records Administration
- Catalog source
- View NARA catalog record
NARA Source
- NAID
- 733667
- File
- 733667-001-012-0003.jpg
- Type
- image/jpeg
No machine-readable OCR text for this asset. Photographs without captions may have no extractable text.