Pilot Report
Unclassified Complete
733667-001-025-0002
National Archives and Records Administration
Confidence
85%
Credibility
90%
View original document ↗ hosted at the official government source
Intelligence summary
An alert report detailing a sighting by the crew of Japan Airlines Flight 1628 of an unidentified object while en route to Tokyo. The object was reported to have light patterns similar to those of a B747 and was tracked for over 350 miles.
Tags & topics
Extracted timeline
Jun 16, 2026
Ingestion Date
Ingestion Date for 733667-001-025-0002
Jun 16, 2026
Document Record Date
Document Record Date for 733667-001-025-0002
Jun 16, 2026
Update Date
Update Date for 733667-001-025-0002
Entities mentioned
Full document text
1,320 characters, transcribed via OCR. Errors reflect the source scan. Compare with the original ↗
GEC 3 1 gee
LNFORMATION: ALERT REPORT
Director, AAL-l
Administrator
. *: At 6:19 pm AST, JAL #1628 Cargo,
B747, FL350 enroute to Tokyo via Reykjavik, Iceland, and
Anchorage, reported observing lighted air traffic, in close
proximity. Flight crew unable to determine shape but
est. size, based on flashing yellow, amber, green, lights (no
red lights) to be equal to B747. ARTCC controller advised
him that there was no known air traffic, but did report
intermittent radar targets. (Subsequent regeneration of
radar tapes revealed no valid traffic data.)
Air crew sighting continued for over 350 miles until object
left in eastern direction. Pilot also was able to view object
uSing onboard color radar. US Air Force, Elmendorf AFB, |
reported having the JAL and an occasional primary target on
ADC radar (military informing media that it was
"Clutter"). JAL pilot requested and performed 360-degree turn
and object continued with him. UAL #69 and military C-130,
volunteered to be vectored in attempt for visual sighting,
both with negative reports.
JAL flight crew interviewed by FAA upon landing. Crew
determined to be professional, rational. We have been
coordinating with the military.
National and international news media inquiries mounting
after inquiry by Kyodo News Service.
Dow Mf
Franklin L. Cunningham