The Chiles-Whitted Encounter

On July 24, 1948, Eastern Air Lines pilots Clarence Chiles and John Whitted witnessed a cigar-shaped object with what appeared to be windows pass their DC-3 at high speed near Montgomery, Alabama. The encounter significantly influenced early Air Force thinking about UFOs.

The Pilots

Captain Clarence Chiles:

• Eastern Air Lines
• Former WWII pilot
• Experienced aviator
• Professional reputation
• First Officer John Whitted
• Also experienced

The Flight

July 24, 1948:

• Eastern Air Lines
• Houston to Atlanta
• 2:45 AM
• 5,000 feet altitude
• Clear conditions

The Object

Pilots described:

• Cigar-shaped
• About 100 feet long
• Two rows of windows
• Bright glow inside
• Trail of flame

The Approach

The object:

• Came from northeast
• Passed to right of aircraft
• At tremendous speed
• Very close
• Then climbed away

Speed Estimate

Pilots estimated:

• At least 700 mph
• Possibly faster
• Beyond any aircraft
• Of the time
• Remarkable velocity

The Windows

Most striking:

• Two rows of openings
• Like passenger windows
• Brilliant light inside
• “Like burning magnesium”
• Detailed observation

The Passenger

One passenger:

• Clarence McKelvie
• Saw bright light
• Confirmed something passed
• Woke from sleep
• Third witness

Project Sign

The Air Force:

• Investigated case
• Part of Project Sign
• Took very seriously
• Led to conclusions
• About UFO origins

The Estimate

Based partly on this case:

• Project Sign drafted report
• “Estimate of the Situation”
• Concluded extraterrestrial
• Sent to Pentagon
• Rejected and destroyed

General Vandenberg

Air Force Chief:

• Rejected the estimate
• Ordered destroyed
• Insufficient evidence
• Political implications
• Changed direction

Meteor Theory

Later explained as:

• Meteor sighting
• But pilots disagreed
• No meteor has windows
• Or maneuvers
• Explanation disputed

Pilot Reaction

Both men:

• Maintained accounts
• Professional aviators
• Knew what they saw
• Not a meteor
• Structured craft

Significance

The Chiles-Whitted case is significant for:

• Early pilot sighting
• Influenced Air Force thinking
• Led to “Estimate of the Situation”
• Detailed description
• Professional witnesses

Legacy

The Chiles-Whitted encounter was pivotal in early UFO history. It led Air Force investigators to briefly conclude UFOs might be extraterrestrial, before that conclusion was rejected and suppressed. The case remains important to UFO research.