The Best Case

On July 24, 1952, during the great UFO wave, two experienced Air Force pilots observed three UFOs from their B-25 bomber over Nevada. Dr. J. Allen Hynek, Project Blue Book’s scientific consultant, called it “the best report in my files.”

The Witnesses

Two Air Force pilots:

• Lt. Colonel John McGinn
• Lt. Colonel John Grubb
• B-25 bomber crew
• Highly experienced
• Credible observers

The Location

Carson Sink:

• Nevada desert
• Daylight sighting
• Clear visibility
• Open terrain
• Easy observation

The Date

July 24, 1952:

• Height of 1952 wave
• Washington DC flap period
• Peak UFO activity
• Multiple national sightings
• Significant timing

The Sighting

What they saw:

• Three bright objects
• Delta formation
• Approached their aircraft
• Made sharp turn
• Departed rapidly

The Objects

Description:

• Bright silver
• Reflected sunlight
• Appeared solid
• No wings visible
• High speed

The Maneuver

What happened:

• Objects approached
• Sharp 90-degree turn
• In formation
• Accelerated away
• Impossible for aircraft

Duration

Extended observation:

• Several minutes
• Clear viewing
• Daylight conditions
• Good visibility
• Time to evaluate

Project Blue Book

Official investigation:

• Case documented
• Witnesses interviewed
• Evidence analyzed
• Remained unexplained
• Significant case

Hynek’s Assessment

Scientific consultant:

• Called it best case
• In his entire file
• Credible witnesses
• Clear observation
• Unexplained

Witness Credibility

The pilots were:

• Extensive experience
• Military officers
• Trained observers
• Nothing to gain
• Reliable accounts

The Formation

Key detail:

• Three objects
• Maintained formation
• Coordinated movement
• Intelligent control
• Not natural phenomenon

Official Conclusion

Blue Book finding:

• Unexplained
• No conventional explanation
• Genuine unknown
• Well-documented
• Significant case

The Context

1952 wave:

• Nationwide sightings
• Military interest
• Public concern
• Media attention
• Historic period

Significance

Two experienced military pilots making clear daylight observation called best case by Project Blue Book consultant.

Legacy

The Carson Sink case represents the caliber of witnesses Project Blue Book faced—trained military observers whose reports could not be dismissed or explained.