UFO. United States

June 24, 1947, at about 3 p.m., American businessman Kenneth Arnold (Kenneth Arnold), engaged in the sale and installation of fire protection systems, was directed from Chehalis in Yakima (Washington) in his double service plane CallAir A-2. Along the way he decided to try to find the wreckage of the missing near mount Rainier (Cascade range) transport aircraft C-46, for information on the location of which was the promised reward of 5000 dollars.

Located at an altitude of 9,200 ft (2.8 km) above sea level near the town of Mineral (Washington) Arnold decided to end the search and return to the course to Yakima. At this moment he saw a bright flash, like the reflection of sunlight from the mirror. Fearing that he could be in dangerous proximity to another aircraft, Arnold looked around, but all he saw the transport plane DC-4 about 15 miles (24 km) to the left and rear.

Approximately 30 seconds after the first flash Arnold saw a number of bright luminous points left, or to the North of the mountains. He thought it was glare on the Windows of his plane, but a few quick tests (rocking the plane from side to side removal of glasses) confirmed that it is not so, and the light emanates from flying objects.

The objects flew in a long chain, and Arnold for a moment, decided that it might be a flock of geese, but the height of flight of the objects, their speed and glitter disproved this conjecture. He then thought it may be aircraft of a new type, and began to peer at their tails, causing was surprised not finding those observed from aircraft.

Only Arnold observed 9 objects that were from him, at a distance of 20-25 miles (32-40 km).

Later in his interview, he will describe them as follows:

I distinctly saw their outlines in the snow, when they got close to the mountain...

They flew about 20-25 miles and disappeared from sight. About three minutes I watched as the chain moving like saucers on the water, as if thrown flat stones, objects, stretching for at least 5 miles, maneuvered between the high mountain peaks. They were flat as pans, and, like a mirror, reflected the rays of the sun. I saw it all quite clearly and distinctly.

Every few seconds two or three of them at once dived, slightly changing the direction of movement, and it was enough that they roll to the edge and the sun sent its reflection on my plane.

Arnold landed in Yakima at about 16:00 and immediately told me about these amazing observations of his friend, General Director of airport al Baxter. After this information hit the media.

Translated by «Yandex.Translator»