Japan Air Lines Flight 1628

On November 17, 1986, Japan Air Lines cargo flight 1628 encountered a massive unidentified object over Alaska. Captain Kenju Terauchi’s detailed account and subsequent FAA investigation created one of the most significant aviation UFO cases in history.

The Flight

JAL Flight 1628:

• Boeing 747 cargo
• Paris to Tokyo
• Via Reykjavik, Anchorage
• Routine flight
• Three crew

The Crew

Aboard were:

• Captain Kenju Terauchi
• Co-pilot Takanori Tamefuji
• Flight Engineer Yoshio Tsukuba
• All experienced
• Professional observers

The Time

November 17, 1986:

• Around 5:10 PM local
• Over Alaska
• Near Fort Yukon
• Clear skies
• Heading to Anchorage

First Contact

Crew noticed:

• Lights ahead
• Two objects initially
• Then massive third
• Following their aircraft
• Extended encounter

What Terauchi Saw

The captain described:

• Enormous object
• Twice carrier size
• Walnut shaped
• Dim lights
• Following them

The Size

Terauchi estimated:

• Size of aircraft carrier
• Or larger
• Dwarfing his 747
• Unprecedented scale
• Massive craft

FAA Radar

Anchorage radar:

• Tracked return
• Near JAL 1628
• On controller’s screen
• Confirmation
• Documented

Military Radar

Elmendorf AFB:

• Also tracked
• Unknown target
• Near the aircraft
• Military confirmation
• Multiple sources

Duration

The encounter:

• About 50 minutes
• Extended observation
• Multiple radar confirmations
• Not brief
• Thoroughly witnessed

FAA Response

John Callahan:

• FAA Division Chief
• Investigated personally
• Called to CIA meeting
• Evidence confiscated
• Told to forget

The CIA Meeting

Callahan later revealed:

• CIA, FBI, Reagan staff
• Viewed radar data
• Discussed case
• Then suppressed
• Cover-up alleged

Callahan’s Testimony

Years later:

• Went public
• Had saved copies
• Confirmed radar data
• Blew whistle
• Important witness

The Press Conference

November 1986:

• Terauchi spoke
• To media
• Detailed account
• FAA confirmed radar
• Major story

Aftermath for Terauchi

The captain:

• Grounded briefly
• Career affected
• Never recanted
• Maintained account
• Until death

FAA Position

Official stance:

• Could not identify object
• Radar data exists
• Pilot credible
• No explanation
• Case unexplained

Skeptical Theories

Some suggested:

• Jupiter/Mars
• Ice crystals
• Military craft
• Radar malfunction
• None satisfying

Against Skeptics

Problems:

• Duration too long
• Multiple radar
• Pilot experience
• Size estimates
• Behavior wrong

Significance

JAL 1628 significant for:

• Multiple radar confirmation
• Professional witnesses
• FAA investigation
• Alleged cover-up
• Documentation quality

Legacy

Japan Air Lines Flight 1628 remains one of the most significant aviation UFO encounters. The radar confirmation, professional crew, and subsequent alleged cover-up make it a cornerstone case.