On an ordinary day in November 17, 1986, a captivating narrative took shape during a standard flight from Paris to Tokyo, etching its mark on aviation chronicles. Captain Kenju Terauchi, a proficient aviator with a history in aerial combat and a flight log exceeding 10,000 hours, found himself in charge of Japan Airlines Flight 1628 when an intriguing incident transpired as they neared Anchorage.
Amidst the cloak of darkness enveloping the skies, Captain Terauchi’s attention was drawn to two peculiar lights visible through the cockpit window. These lights were no run-of-the-mill sightings; they executed unconventional maneuvers, moving gracefully in synchrony, with one suspended above the other before aligning directly ahead of the aircraft. With the Boeing 747 cruising at 500 mph, Terauchi witnessed oval-shaped entities radiating a dazzling luminosity, dangerously approaching the plane and engulfing the cockpit in brilliance.
Without hesitation, Captain Terauchi promptly reached out to the Anchorage Air Traffic Control Center to seek clarification regarding these mysterious apparitions. In a sequence reminiscent of a science-fiction spectacle, the two unidentified flying objects (UFOs) vanished abruptly, making way for an immense object of colossal proportions. Terauchi likened it to a “gigantic spaceship,” possibly as vast as two combined aircraft carriers, persistently tailing the 747.
The scenario rapidly escalated when the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage confirmed a massive unidentified object on their radar. Despite suggestions from Air Traffic Control for Terauchi to take evasive action by descending to 4,000 ft above sea level, the object continued its pursuit. Another commercial flight was diverted to the area to validate the sighting, but upon arrival, the UFO had vanished without a trace.
Substantial evidence accompanies this event, comprising accounts from the flight crew, radar data, and recorded communications, all converging to paint a vivid portrait of the encounter. Post-landing, the crew underwent immediate debriefing by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) officials and relevant authorities. Despite exhaustive inquiries and meticulous documentation, the incident retains an air of mystery, lacking a conclusive rationale.
Vocal about his frustration in the face of unanswered questions, Captain Terauchi publicly shared his belief in December 1986 that the crafts hailed from extraterrestrial origins, leading to his reassignment by Japan Airlines to a ground-based role. The incident attracted the attention of John Callahan, the FAA’s Division Chief of Accidents and Investigations, climaxing in a significant meeting in Washington, D.C., involving representatives from the FBI, CIA, and President Reagan’s White House. Surprisingly, upon the meeting’s conclusion, an alleged CIA operative disowned its existence, mandating the confiscation of all presented information.
While this incident does not serve as definitive proof of extraterrestrial existence, it undoubtedly kindles curiosity about what might be traversing our skies. The detailed narrative from a seasoned pilot, bolstered by radar revelations and involving governmental entities, sparks contemplation on the uncharted realms beyond our current comprehension.