Myrtle Creek, Oregon UFO Sighting (August 6, 1947) — FBI Files
In August 1947, a flight instructor and student reported observing a high-speed, glistening spherical object over Myrtle Creek, Oregon.
Historical Context
The summer of 1947 represents a pivotal moment in the history of modern unidentified aerial phenomena. Following the Kenneth Arnold sighting in June 194
47 and the subsequent reports surrounding the Roswell incident in July 1947, the United States experienced a significant surge in reports of unidentified flying objects. This period marked the emergence of the “flying saucer” phenomenon in the public consciousness, as the rapid succession of sightings suggested a systemic presence of unknown craft in the national airspace. During this era, the phenomenon was often categorized by its perceived propulsion and shape, with many observers describing disk-like or orb-like objects moving at velocities that defied contemporary aeronautical capabilities.
Geographically, the Pacific Northwest, including the region around Myrtle Creek, Oregon, has long been a site of interest for investigators of aerial anomalies. The rugged terrain and frequent atmospheric disturbances in the Cascades often provide the backdrop for sightings that involve high-altitude objects. During the late 1940s, the federal government’s approach to these reports was characterized by a focus on national security and the protection of vital installations. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) maintained a protocol where field offices, including those in Knoxville, Albuquerque, and Los Angeles, would route reports of unidentified objects to headquarters if they were deemed a potential threat to sensitive infrastructure.
The Incident at Tri City Airport
On August 6, 1947, an encounter occurred near Myrtle Creek, Oregon, involving two individuals engaged in flight training. Ray Hatfield, a flight instructor, and his student, Noble Ellison, were conducting operations at Tri City Airport when they observed an unidentified object. The incident was documented in official government files that remained classified for decades, eventually being released to the public on May 8, 2026, as part of the Presidential Unsealing and Reporting System for UAP Encounters (PURSUE).
The initial observation occurred during a takeoff maneuver. The witnesses noted a glistening, spherical object positioned at an altitude estimated between 5,000 and 8,000 feet. The object was traveling toward the east at a high rate of speed, which the observers estimated to be approximately 1,000 miles per hour. The visual characteristics of the object were described in the official documentation using terms such as a “silver ball or balloon.”
The encounter continued during a subsequent takeoff. During this second observation, the witnesses were able to provide further details regarding the scale of the phenomenon. They estimated the diameter of the sphere to be between 30 and 50 feet. The object’s behavior was noted for its extreme vertical velocity, with the file recording the object “climbing very fast until it disappeared.” While the document provides specific details regarding the flight instructor and his student, the total number of witnesses to the event is not specified in the released records.
Investigation and Classification
The nature of the object as described by the witnesses—a sphere, orb, or ball of light—places this case within a specific subset of aerial phenomena reports. Unlike the more common disk-shaped descriptions of the 1947 era, the Myrtle Creek sighting focuses on a spherical geometry.
As part of the records released under the PURSUE program, the case is officially designated as unresolved by the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO). The federal government has maintained a neutral stance regarding the Myrtle Creek event, neither concluding that the object was anomalous nor confirming it as a conventional craft. The investigation does not rule out either possibility.
In the context of 1947, several conventional explanations are often considered by researchers. These include the presence of experimental military aircraft or the high-altitude weather balloons associated with the Project Mogul series, which were active during the late 1940s. Additionally, atmospheric optical phenomena, such as lenticular clouds or sundogs, and astronomical bodies like Venus or meteors near the horizon, are frequently cited as potential sources for such sightings. However, the specific high-speed, climbing trajectory recorded in the Hatfield and Ellison report remains a subject of historical interest within the broader study of mid-century aerial anomalies.