The Washington D.C. Flap (1952)
The flap began on July 19, 1952, when several radar operators at Washington National Airport reported detecting unknown objects in the airspace over the city. The objects were described as bright, fast-moving lights that appeared on radar screens and could not be explained. The operators reported their findings to air traffic control, who in turn alerted the military.
The next day, an Air Force jet was scrambled to intercept the objects, but the pilot was unable to locate them. Nevertheless, the events sparked widespread panic and fear, and the public and media were quick to label the unknown objects as “flying saucers.”
Over the next several days, more reports of UFO sightings poured in from the Washington D.C. area. On July 26, 1952, a sighting of multiple objects over the city was observed by thousands of people, including military personnel and politicians. The objects were seen moving in formation and emitting bright lights, leading some to believe they were extraterrestrial in origin.
The military quickly launched an investigation into the UFO sightings, and the incident became known as the “Washington D.C. flap.” However, despite their efforts, the military was unable to explain the objects and eventually concluded that the sightings were simply the result of temperature inversions and weather phenomena.
Despite the military’s conclusion, many people remained skeptical and believed that the objects were something more sinister, such as secret government aircraft or evidence of extraterrestrial life. The Washington D.C. flap became a turning point in the history of the UFO phenomenon and sparked a wave of interest in the subject.
- One unique aspect of the Washington, D.C. incident is the fact that it involved multiple sightings by credible witnesses, including military pilots and air traffic controllers. Additionally, the objects were detected on radar, providing further evidence of their existence.
- Books and resources: The Washington, D.C. UFO incident has been the subject of numerous books, articles, and documentaries. One notable example is the 2017 book “UFOs and Government: A Historical Inquiry” by Michael Swords, which includes an entire chapter on the incident.
