Japan Airlines

Event Summary

The Japan Airlines Cargo Flight 1628 incident is one of the most compelling and well-documented UFO encounters in modern aviation history. This incident took place on November 17, 1986, involving a Boeing 747-200F cargo aircraft operated by Japan Airlines (JAL). The flight was en route from Paris, France, to Narita International Airport near Tokyo, Japan, with a scheduled layover at Anchorage, Alaska.

The crew of Flight 1628 included Captain Kenji Terauchi, an experienced pilot with thousands of flight hours, First Officer Takanori Tamefuji, and Flight Engineer Yoshio Tsukuba. The flight was carrying a cargo of wine and electronics, making a routine journey across the North Pacific when the extraordinary encounter unfolded.

The Encounter Begins
As the aircraft flew over eastern Alaska in the early evening, the crew noticed unusual lights in the sky. The lights initially appeared on the left side of the aircraft and then moved to the front, taking on a formation that seemed deliberate and intelligent. Captain Terauchi, who had previous experiences with aerial phenomena, was immediately intrigued and began observing the lights closely.

Terauchi reported seeing two smaller objects and one larger object, which he described as the "mothership." The smaller objects appeared to be flying in a tight, controlled formation, and their movements suggested advanced maneuverability. The larger object remained at a distance but was clearly visible and significantly larger than the smaller craft.

Detailed Observations
The smaller objects displayed an extraordinary level of agility, moving rapidly and at various angles around the aircraft. At one point, the objects approached within a few hundred feet of the cockpit, illuminating the interior with an intense, bright light. The crew could feel the heat from the lights, adding to their bewilderment and concern.

Captain Terauchi described the objects as having a rectangular shape with arrays of lights that pulsated and changed colors. The "mothership" was much larger and cylindrical, resembling a giant spaceship. Terauchi likened its size to that of an aircraft carrier, which further emphasized its imposing presence.

Attempts at Evasion
Concerned for the safety of the flight, Captain Terauchi requested an altitude change from air traffic control (ATC) in Anchorage. He hoped to evade the objects by descending and altering the flight path. Despite these maneuvers, the objects continued to follow the aircraft, maintaining their formation and proximity.

The crew's descriptions indicated that the objects were capable of extraordinary speeds and could stop abruptly mid-air. This level of performance was far beyond the capabilities of any known aircraft at the time, leading the crew to believe they were dealing with something truly unconventional.

Radar Confirmation and ATC Involvement
During the encounter, the crew contacted Anchorage ATC to report the sighting and request assistance. Anchorage ATC confirmed that they had detected the objects on radar, but the data was inconsistent and sometimes showed only the JAL flight. To corroborate the sighting, ATC requested another aircraft in the vicinity, a United Airlines flight, to verify the visual contact. However, the United Airlines crew reported seeing nothing unusual.

Further complicating the situation, a U.S. Air Force C-130 cargo plane flying nearby also failed to detect the objects, either visually or on radar. This disparity in observations added to the mystery and complexity of the incident.

Duration and Intensity of the Encounter
The encounter lasted for approximately 50 minutes, during which the crew remained in constant communication with Anchorage ATC. The intensity of the experience took a toll on the crew, particularly Captain Terauchi, who was deeply affected by the prolonged proximity of the objects.

As the aircraft approached Fairbanks, Alaska, the objects finally departed, disappearing rapidly from sight. The crew continued their flight to Anchorage, where they landed safely but were visibly shaken by the encounter.

Aftermath and Investigation
Upon landing, the crew was debriefed by FAA investigators. Captain Terauchi provided detailed sketches and descriptions of the objects, and the entire crew's testimony was recorded. The FAA initiated an investigation into the incident, collaborating with the military to analyze radar data and other available evidence.

The FAA concluded that the crew was highly credible, and their accounts were consistent and detailed. However, the radar data was inconclusive, often dismissed as clutter or atmospheric anomalies. The military's radar images were also inconclusive, leading to further skepticism about the nature of the objects.

Public and Media Reaction
The Japan Airlines incident received significant media attention, both in Japan and internationally. Captain Terauchi's detailed reports and the involvement of the FAA and military lent credibility to the case, making it a focal point for UFO researchers and enthusiasts.

The media coverage highlighted the professional background of the crew and the extraordinary nature of their encounter. It sparked public interest and debate about the existence of unidentified flying objects and the possibility of extraterrestrial technology.

Theories and Explanations
Several theories emerged to explain the Japan Airlines incident:

Celestial Bodies: Some astronomers suggested that Captain Terauchi might have misidentified the planets Jupiter and Mars, which were visible in the sky at the time. The changing atmospheric conditions and the relative positions of these planets could have created optical illusions that appeared as hovering objects.

Military or Experimental Aircraft: Another theory proposed that the objects were advanced military or experimental aircraft. However, this explanation seemed unlikely given the technology available at the time and the observed flight characteristics of the objects.

Extraterrestrial Craft: The most sensational theory was that the objects were extraterrestrial spacecraft. This explanation gained traction among UFO researchers, who cited the extraordinary maneuverability and appearance of the objects as evidence of advanced, non-human technology.

Legacy and Impact
The Japan Airlines Flight 1628 incident remains one of the most well-documented and credible UFO encounters in aviation history. It is often cited in discussions about the need for systematic and scientific investigation into unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP).

In recent years, the incident has gained renewed attention as governments and military organizations worldwide have begun taking UAP sightings more seriously. The involvement of experienced pilots, corroborative radar data, and the detailed documentation of the encounter make it a cornerstone case in the study of UFOs.

Event Details