Japan Airlines Flight 1628
A Japanese cargo flight was followed by enormous unidentified objects for 50 minutes over Alaska. The pilot's account was corroborated by radar. He was grounded for reporting it.
Japan Airlines Flight 1628
A veteran pilot, his crew, and ground radar all detected massive unidentified objects—and the pilot paid a heavy price for reporting it.
The Flight
On November 17, 1986, Japan Airlines cargo flight 1628, a Boeing 747 freighter on route from Paris to Tokyo via Alaska, was commanded by Captain Kenju Terauchi with 29 years experience and two crew members.
First Contact
Over northeastern Alaska around 5:00 PM, the crew noticed lights below and to the left. They assumed military aircraft, but the lights suddenly shot up to their altitude. Two objects now flew alongside them.
The Objects
The crew described two small, square-shaped craft glowing with multiple lights and flying in formation with the plane. Then a massive third object appeared. The captain compared it to “two aircraft carriers” and it was visible for almost an hour.
The Giant Craft
Captain Terauchi’s description detailed a walnut-shaped, enormous craft with pale lights glowing from within. Far larger than any known aircraft, it appeared on the plane’s weather radar. Ground radar also detected it.
The Duration
The encounter lasted approximately 50 minutes as objects matched the plane’s speed, changed positions around the aircraft, disappeared briefly then returned, and finally departed suddenly.
Official Response
The FAA conducted extensive interviews after Captain Terauchi reported immediately. Radar data was reviewed. Military radar confirmed unknown returns. The case was taken seriously.
The radar evidence showed onboard radar displaying the objects, Anchorage ground radar detecting them, and military radar also having returns. This corroboration is extremely rare.
The Aftermath
Captain Terauchi was removed from flying status and grounded for speaking to the press. He was assigned to desk duty for years. His career never fully recovered, yet he stood by his account.
The FAA initially couldn’t explain the sighting. Later they suggested radar “split returns.” The captain’s visual sighting was dismissed. The case remains officially unexplained.
The Significance
This case is notable for a highly experienced pilot, crew corroboration, multiple radar confirmations, extended duration of sighting, official investigation documents, and the punishment Terauchi received.
The Message
Captain Terauchi later reflected that he was trained to observe and report. He did exactly that. He was punished for honesty. Other pilots learned to stay silent.
A veteran pilot saw something impossible. Radar confirmed it. For telling the truth, his career was destroyed.