Soviets say ask no question, US spies, UK BEA pilot will not know what it was.
| Title: | AERIAL OBSERVATION OF INTENSE SOURCE OF LIGHT |
|---|---|
| Pages: | 1 |
| Pub Date: | November 18, 1976 |
| Release Date: | November 17, 1978 |
| Case Number: | F-1975-03653 |
| Release Decision: | RIPPUB |
| Classification: | Unclassified |
Domestic Collection Division
Foreign Intelligence Information Report
| COUNTRY | URSS | DOD REPORT NO. | 00-E-324/33601-76 | |
| SUBJECT | Aerial Observation of Intense Source of Light | DATE DISTR. | 18 NOV 1976 | |
| NO. PAGES | 1 | |||
| REFERENCES | DOD CASE [BLACKED] |
DATE OF INFO September 1976
THIS IS UNEVALUATED INFORMATION
SOURCE [BLACKED OUT]
1. An unusual incident was observed during a 10 September 1976 British European Airways (BEA) flight (number 831) from Moscow to London. Between 18:00 and 19:00s, the aircraft was cruising at an altitude of approximately 33 thousand feet (9.900 meters), apparently inside the border of Lithuania, when a blinding, single source, constant intensity, and stationary light was observed off the starboard flight path of the aircraft. The light's distance was estimated to be approximately 10 to 15 miles (16 to 24 kilometers) off of the aircraft's path and approximately five to six thousand feet (1.500 to 1.800 meters) below the aircraft, somewhat above a lower cloud layer. The light, which resembled a sodium vapor lamp (yellowish in color), and which was too intense to view directly for any period of time, completely lit up the top of the lower cloud layer, giving it a glowing cast.
2. The light was of such interest that the BEA pilot came onto the aircraft's intercom network, stated that he was somewhat concerned over its presence, and said he had asked the Soviet authorities for an identification of its source. The Soviet authorities came back with a negative identification response, suggesting that he should not ask questions. The light was observed for approximately 10 to 15 minutes, until the aircraft had flown past and left the source behind.
- end -
|
