civilian-claim1947· Mount Rainier, Washington

On June 24, 1947, private pilot Kenneth Arnold reported nine crescent-shaped objects flying at roughly 1,200 mph near Mount Rainier, Washington, a credible sighting that introduced the term 'flying saucer' into public discourse and triggered the first formal USAF investigation program.

Arnold timed the objects crossing the 47-mile gap between Mount Rainier and Mount Adams in 1 minute 42 seconds. The Air Force found him a credible witness but concluded mirage; Project Sign, launched six months later, treated the case as foundational.

Citations

Kenneth Arnold UFO sighting· Wikipedia, 2024
PROJECT 1947. Kenneth Arnold firsthand account· NICAP / Project 1947, 1947
Project Blue Book: The Kenneth Arnold UFO Sighting· The Black Vault, 2020

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