Williamsport, PA: Three lights pace airliner
Captain Peter W. Killian and crew of American Airlines flight observed three bright lights in formation west of Williamsport, PA. Multiple pilots and ground observers confirmed the sighting, contradicting Air Force explanations.
Background
Event
On February 24, 1959 at 20:20, Capt. Peter W. Killian was flying an American Airlines aircraft from Newark to Detroit at 8,500 feet, about 13 miles west of Williamsport, Pennsylvania. He noticed three bright lights in exact line formation, which he at first took for stars but clearly distinguished from known celestial bodies.
Observations
One object left the formation, approached the aircraft, slowed before Killian could take evasive action, and returned. He informed co-pilot James John Dee, used the cabin address system to alert the 35 passengers, and contacted other aircraft. Five further pilots, two crews to the south, and towers in Pittsburgh confirmed the lights in the 9 o'clock position over 40 minutes. Changes of colour from yellow to blue-white and fluctuations in brightness were reported.
Reactions and Explanations
The Air Force first named stars in Orion's Belt, then a refuelling operation, and accused Killian of drunkenness. An independent sighting from an Air Force aircraft 150 miles to the south, and the absence of refuelling routes over central Pennsylvania, told against this. Brad Sparks found new evidence supporting the witnesses in 2016.