Kenneth Arnold sighting

Case

Overview

Private pilot Kenneth Arnold reported nine fast-moving objects near Mount Rainier; press coverage introduced the term "flying saucer" and began the modern era of reports.

Investigative phases

Army Air Forces and FBI interviews; Project Sign/Blue Book files

Reported phenomena

Nine crescent or disc-shaped objects in formation

Public evidence status

Blue Book file at NARA

Alternative explanations / caveats

Mirage, birds, meteor fragments or aircraft misjudged at distance (proposed)

Next research tasks

Retrieve Blue Book and FBI files; compare Arnold's speed estimates with landmarks

Last reviewed

2026-11-11

Assessment

Event date

1947-06-24

Source category

Blue Book file

Original data accessibility

Yes

Witness / instrument basis

Single pilot

Corroboration limitations

Single witness

Extraordinary claim assessment

Unexplained in file; not extraordinary in evidence

Current status

Historical

Priority research task

Retrieve file

Lead source ID

SRC-V86-31

Last reviewed

2026-11-11

Evidence (1)

• Kenneth Arnold sighting file Documented
  CE-V86-09 · 1947-06-24 · Blue Book / Army Air Forces file
  Gaps: Distance and speed estimates uncertain

Documents gathered (1 line of evidence)

0 readable here · 1 with a linked primary record · 0 still need a document · All cases on the evidence map

• Kenneth Arnold sighting file Primary record linked
  CE-V86-09 · Project Blue Book / Roswell records guide