Japan Airlines Flight 1628 Encounter

On November 17, 1986, a Japan Airlines cargo jet flying over Alaska encountered three unidentified objects, including one described as the size of two aircraft carriers. The incident was confirmed by FAA radar and investigated by the agency, producing detailed documentation of one of the most compelling commercial aviation UFO cases.

The Flight

Japan Airlines cargo flight 1628 was carrying French wine from Paris to Tokyo via Reykjavik and Anchorage. Captain Kenju Terauchi, a veteran pilot with 29 years of experience, commanded the Boeing 747-200F.

First Contact

At approximately 5:10 PM local time, flying at 35,000 feet over northeastern Alaska, the crew observed two unusual lights ahead and below them. The lights ascended to their altitude.

The Objects

Captain Terauchi and his crew described:

Two Smaller Objects: Square-shaped craft with nozzles or thrusters, emitting flames. They kept pace with the aircraft.

The “Mothership”: An enormous, walnut-shaped object that later appeared on their radar. Terauchi estimated it was the size of two aircraft carriers.

FAA Radar Confirmation

Anchorage Air Route Traffic Control confirmed an unidentified radar return near the aircraft’s position. The radar contact appeared and disappeared several times during the encounter.

FAA Flight Service Station also detected an object.

The Pursuit

The encounter lasted approximately 50 minutes as the objects followed the aircraft:

• The smaller craft initially paced the 747
• The massive object appeared later
• Objects appeared to react to the aircraft’s maneuvers
• The captain reported heat from the smaller objects

When Terauchi requested permission to deviate, the objects seemed to follow.

FAA Investigation

The FAA conducted a full investigation, including:

• Crew interviews
• Radar data analysis
• Review of voice recordings
• Technical analysis

FAA Division Chief John Callahan preserved the documentation after being told to suppress it.

Official Response

Terauchi spoke publicly about the encounter, which violated JAL’s preference for quiet resolution. He was temporarily demoted to a desk job—though later reinstated.

The FAA’s internal conclusion was that the event couldn’t be explained but shouldn’t be publicized.

John Callahan’s Revelation

Years later, FAA official John Callahan revealed:

• CIA representatives attended the FAA briefing
• Participants were sworn to secrecy
• The official position was to deny the incident occurred
• He had preserved the documentation

Callahan’s testimony added credibility to an already well-documented case.

Significance

The JAL 1628 case is notable for:

• Experienced commercial pilot witnesses
• Extended duration (50 minutes)
• FAA radar confirmation
• Official investigation documentation
• Massive size of the main object
• Government secrecy later revealed

Legacy

The encounter represents one of the best-documented commercial aviation UFO cases. The combination of pilot credibility, extended observation time, radar confirmation, and official documentation creates a case that resists conventional explanation.

Captain Terauchi maintained his account until his death, never wavering in his description of what appeared over Alaska that November night.