This table provides a detailed account of the UFO events over Washington D.C. in 1952, including radar data, eyewitness accounts, pilot observations, and additional findings from related incidents.
| Date & Time (UTC) | Location | Witnesses with Positions and Ranks | Event |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 2, 1952 | Tremonton, Utah |
- Warrant Officer Delbert Newhouse - Newhouse's family |
Newhouse filmed a group of UFOs while driving with his family. The
footage showed circular objects in the sky and became a major focus
of analysis by the U.S. Air Force. Ruppelt: Analyzed the footage, which was considered significant evidence by Project Blue Book. |
| July 19-20, 1952 Late Evening |
Washington National Airport Washington, D.C. |
- Edward Nugent, Air Traffic Controller - Howard Cocklin, Air Traffic Controller - Pilots: Civilian pilots from Eastern Airlines - Radar operators at Washington National |
Multiple UFOs detected on radar moving erratically and at high
speeds. Visual confirmation by air traffic controllers and
pilots. Ruppelt: Described the objects as "blips" moving at extraordinary speeds. Chop: Was the press liaison, who confirmed the sightings publicly and facilitated the reporting. |
| July 20, 1952 Early Morning |
Andrews Air Force Base Maryland |
- Lt. William Brady, Tower Operator - Airman William Lloyd, Ground Control Approach Radar Operator - Base security personnel |
Radar and visual sightings of bright, fast-moving lights performing
sharp turns and erratic maneuvers. Radar operators confirmed
intermittent radar contact with the objects. Ruppelt: Reported that jets were scrambled to intercept the objects, but the objects eluded capture. |
| July 26-27, 1952 Late Night |
Washington National Airport Washington, D.C. |
- Air Traffic Controllers at Washington National Airport - Pilots of commercial flights, including Eastern Airlines Flight 611 |
Multiple radar detections and visual sightings of UFOs by
controllers and pilots. Objects observed flying in formations,
rapidly changing speeds, and directions. Chop: Released information to the media and described the objects' movements as “intelligent control.” |
| July 27, 1952 Early Morning |
Washington National Airport Washington, D.C. |
- Lt. William Patterson, USAF Pilot - Air Traffic Controllers |
F-94 Starfire interceptor scrambled. Lt. Patterson saw bright lights
and attempted interception but could not get close enough. UFOs
moved away at high speeds. Ruppelt: Noted the jet pilots reported they were outmaneuvered and couldn't close in on the objects. |
| July 27, 1952 | Palomar Observatory, Utah |
- Dr. Beatriz Villarreal - Vanishing & Appearing Sources during a Century of Observations (VASCO) project |
On reviewing photographic plates from 1952, 70 years later, Dr. Villarroel and her team discovered several light sources on photographic plates that were not seen on plates recorded within an hour. |
| July 27-28, 1952 Night |
Washington National Airport Washington, D.C. |
- Air Traffic Controllers - Civilian and military personnel |
Continued radar and visual sightings. UFOs observed to move at
extraordinary speeds and perform sharp maneuvers. Chop: Managed the escalating public and media interest, confirming the military's involvement in investigating the incidents. |
| July 1952 Post-Flap Analysis |
Washington D.C. |
- Swedish scientist - Analysis by Sky Photos project |
Sky Photos project revealed lights in the sky that were not visible
to the naked eye, indicating potential unknown aerial phenomena
during the Washington events. Ruppelt: Commented on the scientific interest in the phenomenon, noting the potential implications for air defense and aerial phenomena studies. |
| 1952 General Timeframe |
Washington D.C. |
- Dr. Jacques Vallée - Various researchers and scientists |
Dr. Jacques Vallée reported that some UFOs during the D.C. incidents
allegedly ejected unknown material, which was later analyzed. Chop: Supported open scientific inquiry into the incidents, emphasizing the need for transparency and detailed investigation. |