Information presented is not verified and may contain errors. For research purposes only.
PUBLIC CASE ID: ARNOLD-1947-RAINIER

Kenneth Arnold Sighting - Mount Rainier 1947

Private pilot Kenneth Arnold's sighting of nine disc-shaped objects near Mount Rainier that coined the term 'flying saucer' and launched the modern UFO era.

FILE METADATA PUBLIC
CASE ID: ARNOLD-1947-RAINIER
DATE: 1947-06-24
LOCATION: Mount Rainier, Washington
COORDINATES: 46.8523, -121.7603
SOURCE: Kenneth Arnold Testimony
TYPE: witness-testimony
TAGS:
foundational pilot-witness formation-flight coining-term

Kenneth Arnold Sighting - June 24, 1947

Executive Summary

On June 24, 1947, private pilot Kenneth Arnold observed nine crescent-shaped objects flying in formation near Mount Rainier, Washington, at an estimated speed of 1,700 mph. Arnold’s description of objects moving “like saucers skipping on water” led to the term “flying saucer” and marked the beginning of the modern UFO era. The case is considered foundational due to Arnold’s credibility as an experienced pilot and the detailed nature of his testimony.

Witness Profile

Kenneth Arnold

  • Age: 32 years old
  • Occupation: Private pilot and businessman
  • Experience: 9,000+ flight hours
  • Aircraft: CallAir A-2 (single-engine)
  • Reputation: Respected pilot, search and rescue volunteer
  • Post-Incident: Maintained story until death in 1984

Event Details

Flight Information

  • Date: June 24, 1947
  • Time: Approximately 3:00 PM PST
  • Weather: Clear, excellent visibility
  • Mission: Search for missing C-46 transport aircraft
  • Altitude: 9,200 feet
  • Location: Near Mount Rainier, Washington

Object Description

Formation: Nine objects in diagonal chain formation Shape: Crescent or boomerang-shaped Size: Estimated 45-50 feet wingspan Color: Bright, reflective (like aluminum) Flight Characteristics:

  • Formation flying with precision
  • Estimated speed: 1,700 mph
  • Weaving motion between mountain peaks
  • No visible propulsion system

Flight Path

  • Origin: North of Mount Rainier
  • Direction: South toward Mount Adams
  • Distance Covered: Approximately 50 miles
  • Duration: 1 minute 42 seconds
  • Landmarks: Mount Rainier to Mount Adams

Arnold’s Account

Initial Observation

Arnold first noticed a bright flash, initially assuming it was sunlight reflecting off another aircraft. He then observed nine objects flying in formation at tremendous speed.

Detailed Description

“They flew like a saucer would if you skipped it across the water… They were flat like a pie pan and, when they went between the mountain peaks, they were very thin.”

Speed Calculation

Using known landmarks and timing, Arnold calculated the objects’ speed at approximately 1,700 mph - far exceeding any known aircraft of 1947.

Investigation and Response

Initial Reporting

  • First Report: Pendleton, Oregon airport upon landing
  • Media Contact: East Oregonian newspaper
  • Military Interview: Army Air Force interrogation

Official Investigation

  • Project Sign: Case became foundational for first official UFO study
  • Military Assessment: No conventional explanation found
  • Classification: Remained “unidentified”

Public Reaction

  • Media Coverage: National newspaper coverage
  • Coining Term: “Flying saucer” entered popular lexicon
  • UFO Wave: Sparked numerous copycat reports

Physical Evidence

Lack of Material Evidence

  • No Physical Traces: No material evidence recovered
  • No Photographs: No photographic documentation
  • Witness Testimony: Sole evidence is Arnold’s detailed account

Corroborating Elements

  • Weather Conditions: Confirmed excellent visibility
  • Flight Plan: Documented search mission
  • Aircraft Performance: CallAir A-2 specifications verified

Analysis

Credibility Assessment: HIGH

Supporting Factors:

  • Experienced pilot with 9,000+ hours
  • Detailed, consistent testimony over 37 years
  • No evidence of hoax or financial motivation
  • Technical knowledge of aircraft performance
  • Precise timing and speed calculations

Potential Issues:

  • No corroborating witnesses
  • No physical evidence
  • Extreme speeds for 1947 technology
  • Possible misidentification of known phenomena

Alternative Explanations

  1. Experimental Aircraft: Secret military testing
  2. Atmospheric Phenomena: Unusual optical effects
  3. Misidentification: Formation of conventional aircraft
  4. Natural Objects: Birds or debris (rejected due to speed)
  5. Hallucination: Pilot fatigue or altitude effects

Historical Impact

UFO Phenomenon Launch

  • Modern Era Beginning: Marked start of contemporary UFO studies
  • Media Attention: Created sustained public interest
  • Government Response: Led to official investigation programs
  • Cultural Impact: Influenced science fiction and popular culture

Scientific Study

  • Aerospace Analysis: Study of unconventional flight characteristics
  • Witness Psychology: Pilot reliability in aerial observations
  • Investigation Methods: Protocols for anomalous aerial phenomena
  • Speed Analysis: Calculations of observed velocities

Follow-up Cases

Immediate Wave (Summer 1947)

  • Roswell Incident: July 1947, increased UFO reports
  • Military Sightings: Numerous pilot reports followed
  • Public Reports: Hundreds of “flying saucer” sightings

Long-term Pattern

  • Similar Objects: Crescent-shaped UFO reports continued
  • Formation Flying: Multiple object sightings common theme
  • Pilot Witnesses: Established credibility of aviator testimony

Technical Analysis

1947 Aircraft Limitations

  • Fastest Military Aircraft: P-80 Shooting Star (580 mph)
  • Experimental Aircraft: Bell X-1 (breaking sound barrier later in 1947)
  • Commercial Aviation: DC-3/DC-4 (200-300 mph)
  • Arnold’s Calculation: 1,700 mph exceeded all known capabilities

Flight Characteristics

  • Formation Precision: Beyond 1947 control systems
  • Maneuverability: Weaving between mountain peaks at high speed
  • Silent Operation: No sound reported despite proximity
  • Acceleration: Apparent instant acceleration capabilities

Documentation

Primary Sources

  • Arnold’s Written Report: Detailed account to military
  • Newspaper Interviews: Contemporary press coverage
  • Radio Interviews: Broadcast testimonies
  • Military Files: Army Air Force investigation records

Secondary Sources

  • Book: “The Coming of the Saucers” (Arnold & Palmer, 1952)
  • Interviews: Numerous follow-up interviews over decades
  • Investigations: Blue Book and civilian researcher files

Conclusions

The Kenneth Arnold sighting remains one of the most significant cases in UFO history due to its role in launching the modern UFO era. Arnold’s credibility as an experienced pilot, combined with his detailed and consistent testimony, establishes this as a foundational case for anomalous aerial phenomena research.

While no physical evidence supports the sighting, Arnold’s technical knowledge, precise calculations, and unwavering account over nearly four decades demonstrate the case’s importance in understanding both witness reliability and the characteristics of unidentified aerial phenomena.

The case’s historical significance extends beyond its content to its impact on government policy, scientific inquiry, and cultural understanding of unexplained aerial observations.

References

  1. Arnold, Kenneth. “The Coming of the Saucers.” Amherst Press, 1952.
  2. Bloecher, Ted. “Report on the UFO Wave of 1947.” NICAP, 1967.
  3. Project Sign Report. “Analysis of Flying Object Incidents in the U.S.” Air Materiel Command, 1949.
  4. Clark, Jerome. “The UFO Encyclopedia.” Omnigraphics, 1998.