Kinross Incident Jet Disappearance

On November 23, 1953, an F-89 Scorpion was scrambled from Kinross AFB to intercept an unknown radar contact over Lake Superior. Ground radar watched as the jet’s blip merged with the UFO—then both disappeared. The crew and aircraft were never found.

The Scramble

On November 23, 1953, the F-89 Scorpion was launched from Kinross AFB, a facility located in Michigan. The mission was to intercept an unknown radar contact that had been detected over Lake Superior. A specific order was given to intercept this contact.

The Crew

The flight was undertaken by a two-man crew comprised of 1st Lt. Felix Moncla Jr., who served as the pilot, and 2nd Lt. Robert Wilson, who acted as the radar operator. They were piloting an F-89 Scorpion, a combat aircraft designed for air superiority.

The Contact

Radar surveillance revealed an unidentified object over Lake Superior, situated near the Canadian border. This object was described as an unknown object, necessitating a thorough investigation.

The Pursuit

The F-89 Scorpion was launched and engaged in a pursuit of the unidentified object. Ground radar continuously tracked both the jet and the object, and they were both initially visible on the radar screens. As they continued their approach, the two targets began converging towards each other.

The Merge

A critical moment occurred during the pursuit as the two radar blips merged together, effectively becoming one combined signal. The radar operators described this event as the “merging” of the targets, and the two blips remained together for a significant period, a feature that was considered concerning by the observers.

The Disappearance

Following the merging of the radar signals, a single return remained visible on the radar screens, but quickly vanished completely, leaving no trace of either the jet or the unidentified object. There was no contact made, and silence followed.

The Search

Immediately following the disappearance, a comprehensive search effort was initiated, involving cooperation from the Canadian authorities. The search focused on Lake Superior, but despite extensive efforts, no wreckage or debris was ever recovered, and the crew and aircraft remained unaccounted for.

Lake Superior

The location of the incident was the vast Lake Superior, a body of water characterized by its immense size and considerable depth. The cold water temperatures and the lake’s nature to preserve wreckage contributed to the enduring mystery surrounding the event. Despite extensive searching, no wreckage or remains were located within the lake.

Official Explanation

The United States Air Force initially stated that the F-89 Scorpion had chased a Royal Canadian Air Force C-47 transport aircraft, which had subsequently crashed into the lake. This Canadian aircraft was the presumed cause of the incident, and the case was officially closed. However, several inconsistencies and unanswered questions remained, suggesting that the official explanation was not entirely satisfactory.

RCAF Response

The Royal Canadian Air Force vehemently denied the involvement of any of its aircraft in the incident, asserting that no C-47 was present in the area at the time. They refuted the Canadian aircraft explanation, asserting that the plane was not a Canadian one. This denial further complicated the investigation and contradicted the USAF’s initial statement.

The Second Explanation

Subsequently, a revised explanation emerged, suggesting that the pilot, 1st Lt. Moncla Jr., had experienced a bout of vertigo, leading to the jet crashing into the lake. This explanation attributed the disappearance to a mechanical failure and categorized it as a standard accident, but still failed to produce any wreckage.

Why Suspicious

Several factors contributed to the persistent suspicion surrounding the Kinross Incident. The lack of any recovered wreckage or recovered bodies fueled concerns, and the RCAF’s denial added to the puzzle. The observed radar merge anomaly, where the F-89 Scorpion and the unknown object appeared to merge on the radar screen, was particularly perplexing, as was the shifting of explanations.

The Families

The families of 1st Lt. Felix Moncla Jr. and 2nd Lt. Robert Wilson continued to wait for answers regarding their loved ones’ fate for decades, and the disappearance resulted in no closure or resolution.

The 2006 Claim

In 2006, a diver claimed to have located wreckage associated with the incident, but this claim was subsequently retracted. The claim triggered accusations of a hoax, and further deepened the mystery surrounding the disappearance.

Project Blue Book

The Kinross Incident was included in the files of Project Blue Book, the United States Air Force’s official investigation into unidentified flying objects. The case was explained as an accident, however, the radar merge anomaly was largely ignored, and the UFO aspect of the event was dismissed. The project concluded that the investigation was inadequate.

What Really Happened

The possibility of a mid-air collision with a UFO remains a significant consideration, though abduction and a crash are also potential explanations. The ultimate fate of the jet and its crew remains unknown, representing an unresolved mystery.

Significance

The Kinross Incident—an Air Force jet merging with a UFO on radar and disappearing completely—crew and aircraft never recovered—is a stark example of the complexities and potential dangers involved in intercepting unidentified objects in the skies. Felix Moncla and Robert Wilson vanished into Lake Superior, and the radar showed why.

Legacy

The Kinross Incident serves as a compelling case study concerning fighter jets intercepting UFOs—and sometimes, the results are not known. Felix Moncla and Robert Wilson vanished into Lake Superior, and the radar showed why.

Sources

• Wikipedia search: “Kinross Incident Jet Disappearance”
• Project Blue Book — National Archives — USAF UFO investigation files, 1947–1969
• CIA UFO/UAP Reading Room — Declassified CIA documents on UAP
• Chronicling America — Historic US newspapers (1690–1963)