Japan Airlines Flight 1628

On November 17, 1986, a Japan Airlines cargo flight from Paris to Tokyo was followed by massive unidentified objects for approximately 50 minutes while flying over Alaska. The encounter was tracked on FAA radar, and the experienced captain’s testimony created an international incident.

The Crew

Japan Airlines Flight 1628:

• Captain Kenju Terauchi (29 years experience)
• Co-pilot Takanori Tamefuji
• Flight engineer Yoshio Tsukuda
• A Boeing 747 cargo freighter

Initial Sighting

At approximately 5:11 PM (Alaska time):

• Flying at 35,000 feet near Fort Yukon
• Terauchi noticed two lights below and to the left
• Initially thought they were military aircraft
• The lights climbed to their altitude

The Two Objects

The first objects:

• Two rectangular arrays of lights
• Flew alongside the aircraft
• Maneuvered in ways aircraft cannot
• Emitted heat that Terauchi felt through the cockpit window

The Giant Mothership

After approximately 30 minutes:

• A massive third object appeared
• Terauchi described it as “two to three times bigger than an aircraft carrier”
• It appeared on radar as well
• It seemed to follow the aircraft

Radar Confirmation

FAA Anchorage air traffic control:

• Initially detected unknown returns
• Military radar at Elmendorf also tracked something
• Controllers monitored the situation
• Confirmed unusual returns near the aircraft

Duration

The encounter lasted approximately 50 minutes:

• Objects followed through multiple course changes
• FAA suggested turns to verify the contact was real
• The objects matched every maneuver
• They eventually departed

FAA Investigation

The FAA conducted an investigation:

• Interviewed the crew extensively
• Reviewed radar tapes
• Examined flight data
• Administrator John Callahan personally reviewed the case

Callahan’s Later Revelations

Years later, FAA Administrator John Callahan revealed:

• A CIA briefing occurred about the incident
• Participants were sworn to secrecy
• He was told “this event never happened”
• He retained copies of evidence

Japanese Response

Japan Airlines:

• Initially supported Terauchi
• Later reassigned him to a desk job
• Media coverage damaged his career
• He eventually returned to flying

Official Explanation Attempts

Various explanations were proposed:

• Jupiter and Mars (rejected—crew knew planets)
• Split radar returns (didn’t explain visual sighting)
• Moonlight on clouds (didn’t match description)

Significance

The JAL 1628 case is significant for:

• Extremely experienced pilot witness
• Extended duration (50 minutes)
• Radar confirmation
• FAA involvement and later revelations
• International attention
• Massive size estimates

Legacy

Japan Airlines Flight 1628 represents one of the most credible pilot UFO encounters. The combination of an experienced crew, radar confirmation, extended observation, and later revelations about government interest make it a cornerstone case for UFO research.