Japan Airlines Flight 1628 UFO Encounter

On November 17, 1986, Captain Kenju Terauchi and his crew aboard Japan Airlines cargo flight 1628 encountered multiple UFOs over Alaska. One object was described as the size of two aircraft carriers. The incident was confirmed by FAA radar and became one of the most well-documented pilot UFO sightings.

The Flight

JAL 1628:

• A Boeing 747 cargo jet
• Flying from Paris to Tokyo via Alaska
• Carrying Beaujolais wine
• Over northeastern Alaska
• Altitude approximately 35,000 feet

The Crew

Aboard were:

• Captain Kenju Terauchi (veteran pilot)
• Co-pilot Takanori Tamefuji
• Flight Engineer Yoshio Tsukuba
• All experienced airmen

The Encounter

At approximately 5:11 PM:

• Two small objects appeared
• They paced the aircraft
• A massive object then appeared
• The encounter lasted 50 minutes
• Objects followed the plane

The Small Objects

Initial sighting:

• Two square-shaped objects
• Multiple lights
• Flying in formation
• Moving with the aircraft
• Then departed

The Massive Object

Behind them appeared:

• An enormous craft
• Captain estimated “two aircraft carriers” size
• Pale walnut-shaped
• Maintained distance
• Visible for extended period

Radar Confirmation

FAA radar showed:

• Return matching the object’s position
• Confirmed by ground control
• Military radar also tracked it
• Object visible on multiple systems

Captain Terauchi’s Response

The captain:

• Requested permission to maneuver
• Took evasive action
• Maintained communication with ATC
• Documented everything carefully
• Was highly experienced

FAA Investigation

The FAA:

• Took the report seriously
• Interviewed the crew
• Examined radar data
• John Callahan led investigation
• No conventional explanation found

The Aftermath

Following the incident:

• Captain Terauchi spoke to media
• JAL grounded him temporarily
• He was later reinstated
• Stood by his account
• Other crew confirmed

John Callahan’s Revelation

Years later, FAA’s Callahan revealed:

• CIA took the radar data
• Ordered participants to secrecy
• Admitted it was unexplained
• Became UFO disclosure advocate

Significance

The JAL 1628 case is significant for:

• Experienced airline crew
• Radar confirmation
• Extended observation
• FAA investigation
• CIA involvement revealed

Legacy

The Japan Airlines Flight 1628 encounter represents one of the best-documented airline pilot UFO sightings in history. The radar confirmation and subsequent government interest make it a landmark case.