24 July 1948 / T039
Chiles–Whitted report a wingless, windowed object
Near Montgomery, Alabama
Witness account
Two Eastern Air Lines pilots flying a DC-3 reported a bright, elongated object passing their aircraft at night. They described a wingless body, illuminated window-like features and a fiery exhaust, and said it climbed away. Their descriptions and drawings influenced Project Sign discussions because experienced aircrew appeared to be describing a structured machine.
Public record
The original case file contains interviews, sketches and follow-up analysis. A passenger’s briefer observation did not independently establish all the pilots’ claimed structural details.