FBIUnresolvedAnomalous kinematics

Multiple round flying objects at ~6,000 mph — Mt. Adams, Oregon, June 24, 1947

Jun 24, 1947Near Mt. Adams, Oregon (observer on ground with telescope)1,000 ft

⟳ Deeper read pending. This record is from the FBI 62-HQ-83894 flying-disc file, whose cursive, clippings and faint scans are under-read by automated OCR. It is flagged for a vision-transcription pass and likely undercounts what the source contains — see the documents collection note.

Analysis — our summary

On June 24, 1947, F.M. Johnson, a prospector, observed multiple flying objects through a telescope near Mt. Adams, Oregon. The objects were described as round, approximately 30 ft in diameter, tapering to a point in front, with bright top surfaces. An object in the apparent tail position appeared to shift side to side, resembling a gas burner. Johnson estimated the speed as greater than anything he had ever seen. No sound was detected.

As reported — verbatim from the document

“Observer described objects as 'round, approximately 30 ft in diameter, tapering to a point in front'; speed 'greater than anything' he had seen; the tail object 'resembled a gas burner shifting side to side'; no sound.”

Analyst notes — caveats & confidence

Single witness but used a telescope, providing more detail than naked-eye observations. Speed estimate of 6,000+ mph (derived from later data in the Southern Wisconsin four-witness incident, not from this solo Johnson report) is not directly stated here; Johnson only said 'greater than anything he'd seen.' OCR quality for this section is moderate. The observation date (June 24, 1947) is the same day as the Kenneth Arnold sighting that launched public awareness of the flying disc phenomenon.

Provenance

Source document65_HS1-834228961_62-HQ-83894_Section_1.pdf

Document typecase file compilation

Reporting agencyFBI

Source pages185

DeclassifiedFirst public at this release (2026)

Held classified~79 years (≥, to this release)

Extraction confidence ModerateHow cleanly this record could be parsed from the source — driven by legibility & redaction. It is not a measure of how credible or anomalous the sighting is.