Fayetteville: KB-50 tanker nearly collides with UFO
USAF KB-50 tanker pilot encountered a UFO on collision course during approach to Pope AFB. Tower personnel observed it hovering for 20 minutes, deeming it a hazard to aircraft.
Background
Incident
On November 4, 1958 at 21:03, the pilot of a USAF KB-50 tanker was on approach to Pope AFB (today Pope Field) in Fayetteville, North Carolina. He spotted an object directly on a collision course and carried out a go-around to gain altitude.
Observations
The crew saw unusual lights in the cockpit during the final approach. Air Force tower personnel watched the UFO through binoculars as it hovered over the airfield for about 20 minutes. They ruled out atmospheric causes and classified it as a hazard to air traffic.
Witnesses and Sources
The tanker's pilot and crew and the tower personnel were the principal witnesses. Reports come from NICAP, Sparks (p. 277), and Richard F. Haines (NARCAP, 2000, pp. 53–54). The event points to risks to flight safety from UAP.