Nash–Fortenberry formation sighting

Record summary

What happened Pan American World Airways pilots William Nash and William Fortenberry reported eight bright, red-orange disc-like objects passing beneath their DC-4 at high apparent speed. They said the objects flew in two formations, executed a synchronized reversal and were joined by two more lights. The pilots made notes soon after landing and were interviewed by Air Force investigators, who considered them experienced and consistent. The structured formation and low apparent altitude made the case difficult to reduce to a single meteor, although distance and speed remained estimates without radar confirmation. Evidence Two cockpit witnesses, prompt written statements, route and timing information, and Air Force interviews. No photograph or confirmed radar track is known. Explanations considered Meteors, aircraft reflections and perspective effects have been suggested. A meteor train fits brightness and speed but not obviously the reported reversal; that maneuver may have been apparent motion in a dark sky. What remains uncertain Both witnesses viewed the event from the same moving platform, so they are not fully independent. The objects' distance, altitude and size were not measured. Primary source The Report on Unidentified Flying Objects — Project Gutenberg Further source trail Nash-Fortenberry UFO sighting — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nash-Fortenberry_UFO_sighting