1952 Washington D.C. UFO Flap
For two consecutive weekends in July 1952, UFOs invaded Washington airspace, appearing on radar at multiple facilities and being seen by pilots. Fighter jets were scrambled over the nation's capital in America's most significant UFO event.
UFOs Over the Capital
In July 1952, UFOs appeared over Washington, D.C. on two consecutive weekends, triggering radar tracking at multiple facilities and fighter jet scrambles. The events prompted the largest press conference since World War II.
The Dates
Two weekends:
- July 19-20, 1952
- July 26-27, 1952
- Consecutive weeks
- Similar patterns
- Same locations
July 19-20
First weekend:
- Objects on radar
- Washington National Airport
- Andrews AFB
- Multiple targets
- Extended duration
The Radar
Technical evidence:
- Multiple returns
- Solid targets
- Various facilities
- Consistent tracking
- Not equipment error
The Pilots
Visual confirmation:
- Commercial pilots saw lights
- Described formations
- Matched radar positions
- Credible witnesses
- Multiple aircraft
Fighter Scramble
Military response:
- F-94 jets launched
- Attempted intercept
- Objects disappeared
- Returned after jets left
- Playing with fighters
July 26-27
Second weekend:
- Same pattern
- More witnesses
- More radar tracks
- National attention
- Crisis mode
The Press Conference
Historic briefing:
- Major General John Samford
- Air Force Director of Intelligence
- Largest since WWII
- Explanation attempted
- Temperature inversion theory
Temperature Inversion
Official explanation:
- Weather phenomenon
- False radar returns
- Visual misidentification
- Critics disagreed
- Inadequate explanation
Problems with Explanation
Critics noted:
- Experienced radar operators
- Multiple facilities
- Visual confirmation
- Object behavior
- Didn’t match weather
Edward Ruppelt
Project Blue Book head:
- Investigated personally
- Found explanation weak
- Documented case
- Later wrote about it
- Credible analysis
National Impact
Effects:
- Public alarm
- Congressional concern
- Military embarrassment
- Media frenzy
- Lasting significance
The Robertson Panel
Aftermath:
- CIA convened panel
- January 1953
- Recommended debunking
- Changed UFO policy
- Historical turning point
Significance
UFOs over nation’s capital with radar confirmation, fighter response, and unprecedented press attention.
Legacy
The 1952 Washington flap remains America’s most significant UFO event—objects over the capital that prompted military scrambles and changed how the government would handle UFO reports forever.