On June 24, 1947, an incident occurred that would forever change the landscape of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and catapult the concept of flying saucers into popular culture. Kenneth Arnold, a private pilot and respected businessman, reported seeing nine unidentified flying objects near Mount Rainier, Washington. This event is often credited with igniting the modern UFO phenomenon and remains one of the most famous sightings in history.

DETAILS

  • LOCATION: Near Mount Rainier, Washington, USA
  • DATE: June 24, 1947
  • TIME: Approximately 3:00 PM
  • EVENT DURATION: Roughly 2 minutes
  • NUMBER OF OBJECTS: 9
  • OBJECT(S) SHAPE: Crescent-shaped, with a flat, thin profile
  • DESCRIPTION OF THE OBJECT(S): The objects were described as being bright, reflecting sunlight like mirrors. They flew in a V-formation, with their movements likened to “a saucer skipping across water.” Although Arnold’s description was misinterpreted as “flying saucers,” he clarified that the objects themselves were not disc-shaped but more akin to crescent moons.
  • CE CLASSIFICATION: CE1 (Close Encounter of the First Kind):
  • Sightings of a UFO within 500 feet, with no physical interaction with the environment or witnesses.

INCIDENT SUMMARY

Kenneth Arnold, a seasoned pilot with over 9,000 hours of flying experience, was on a business trip in his Call Air A-2 airplane. On June 24, 1947, he was flying near Mount Rainier in search of a missing Marine Corps C-46 transport plane when he noticed a bright flash of light. Initially, Arnold thought it might be a reflection from another aircraft, but when he looked around, he saw a series of nine shiny, crescent-shaped objects flying in formation at an estimated altitude of 9,200 feet.

Arnold estimated their speed to be around 1,700 miles per hour—far faster than any known aircraft of the time. The objects appeared to be flying in an undulating motion, which he later compared to the way a saucer would skip across water, hence the term “flying saucer” was born.

After landing, Arnold reported his sighting to the authorities and shared his experience with a reporter from the East Oregonian newspaper. The story quickly spread, capturing the public’s imagination and sparking widespread interest in UFOs. The term “flying saucer” became synonymous with unidentified flying objects, despite Arnold’s clarification that the objects he saw were not saucer-shaped.

WITNESSES:

  • KENNETH ARNOLD: Kenneth Arnold was a private pilot and businessman from Boise, Idaho. He was known for his credibility and had no history of making sensational claims. His account of the sighting was detailed and consistent, which added weight to his story. Arnold’s experience and reputation made his sighting one of the most credible in UFO history.

CONCLUSION

The Kenneth Arnold UFO incident is a pivotal moment in the history of UFO sightings, marking the beginning of the modern UFO era. While Arnold’s sighting has been the subject of much debate and speculation over the years, it remains one of the most well-documented and credible reports of an unidentified flying object. Arnold’s description of the objects and their unusual flight pattern continues to intrigue researchers and UFO enthusiasts alike.

The incident also highlights how quickly public perception can be shaped by media coverage, as the term “flying saucer” became embedded in the cultural lexicon almost overnight. Despite numerous investigations and theories, the true nature of the objects Arnold saw remains a mystery, contributing to the enduring fascination with UFOs.