Twin Falls, Idaho UFO Sighting (August 13, 1947) — FBI Files (D3P128)
In August 1947, witnesses in Twin Falls, Idaho, reported a high-speed, disc-shaped object traveling through Snake River Canyon.
Historical Context
The summer of 1947 represents a pivotal period in the history of unidentified aerial phenomena in the United States. Following the June 194 and July 1947 reports involving Kenneth Arnold and the incident in Roswell, New Mexico, the American public and government agencies entered an era of heightened scrutiny regarding unidentified objects in the sky. This period saw a surge in “flying saucer” reports, a term popularized by the media to describe disc-shaped objects that appeared to move with non-ballistic trajectories. During this era, the United States was navigating the early complexities of the Cold War, leading to increased military interest in any unidentified craft that might represent a technological leap by foreign adversaries.
The geography of the Snake River Canyon in Southern Idaho provided a dramatic backdrop for such sightings. The canyon is characterized by deep basalt cliffs and significant topographical variations, which can often create unique atmospheric conditions. In the mid-20th century, the American West was frequently the site of such sightings due to its vast, open landscapes and the presence of various military and research installations. The reporting of such phenomena during this time was often handled through established bureaucratic channels, as the federal government sought to monitor potential threats to national security and vital infrastructure.
The Incident
On August 13, 1947, in Twin Falls, Idaho, U.S. government investigators recorded an unidentified-object incident later released to the public on May 8, 2026, as part of the Presidential Unsealing and Reporting System for UAP Encounters (PURSUE). The case was filed with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, whose Knoxville, Albuquerque, Los Angeles, and other field offices routed UFO reports to headquarters under the Bureau’s standing protocols for the protection of vital installations.
The primary witness, A. C. Urie, reported seeing a flying disc skimming through Snake River Canyon at approximately 1 p.m. on August 13th. Urie provided specific details regarding the object’s movement and appearance, estimating its height at 75 feet and its speed at approximately 1,000 miles per hour. He further described a fiery glow emanating from jets. The sighting was not isolated to a single perspective, as his sons, Keith and Billy, also observed the object from a different angle. While the released document does not specify the total number of witnesses, the corroboration between the Urie family members provides a consistent account of the event.
The documentation contains verbatim excerpts from the investigative file, noting that the flying saucer Urie saw was skimming along through Snake River canyon at a height of about 75 feet at 1 p.m. Wednesday. The file further records the witness’s claim that he obtained a close-up view of the flying saucer as it passed by the trout farm at 1 p.m. Aug. 13 going down Snake river canyon at a height of about 75 feet from the canyon, and his subsequent estimate of the speed at about 1,000 miles per hour. The witnesses consistently described the object as being disc- or saucer-shaped.
Analysis and Classification
The Twin Falls sighting is categorized as a UFO-type case involving a disc-shaped object. In the decades following 1947, many such reports have been analyzed through the lens of various scientific and military frameworks. All records released under the PURSUE program are designated unresolved by the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) by default. The federal government has not concluded that the events were anomalous, has not concluded that they were conventional, and has not ruled out either possibility.
When evaluating sightings from this specific era, investigators often consider several conventional candidates. These include experimental aircraft developed during the post-war aviation boom, or the Project Mogul series of high-altitude weather balloons designed to detect Soviet nuclear tests. Other possibilities include atmospheric optical phenomena, such as sundogs or lenticular clouds, which can mimic the appearance of solid objects. Additionally, astronomical objects like Venus, the Moon, or meteors near the horizon are frequently cited as potential explanations for high-speed, glowing sightings. The Twin Falls incident remains part of the larger historical record of unidentified aerial phenomena that continues to be studied for its implications regarding mid-century aerospace activity.