JAL Flight 1628 Alaska Encounter
A Japan Airlines cargo jet encountered a massive UFO twice the size of an aircraft carrier over Alaska. Radar confirmed the object, but the FAA suppressed the case until documents were obtained through FOIA.
The Aircraft Carrier UFO
On November 17, 1986, Japan Airlines Flight 1628 encountered a massive UFO over Alaska. Captain Kenju Terauchi and his crew watched the object for over 30 minutes, and FAA radar confirmed the presence. The case became a landmark in aviation UFO history.
The Flight
JAL 1628:
- Boeing 747 cargo
- Paris to Tokyo
- Via Anchorage
- Night flight
- November 17, 1986
The Crew
Three witnesses:
- Captain Kenju Terauchi
- Co-pilot Takanori Tamefuji
- Flight Engineer Yoshio Tsukuba
- Experienced crew
- Professional aviators
The Encounter
What happened:
- Lights appeared
- Approached aircraft
- Paced the jet
- For 31 minutes
- Over Alaska
The Object
Captain’s description:
- Massive structure
- Two carrier-sized
- Walnut-shaped
- Multiple lights
- Warming sensation felt
Radar Confirmation
FAA tracking:
- Anchorage Center
- Object on radar
- Military radar also
- Confirmed presence
- Technical evidence
Duration
Extended observation:
- 31 minutes
- Clear viewing
- Multiple positions
- Changed formation
- Long encounter
Captain Terauchi
His report:
- Detailed account
- Made drawings
- Stood by testimony
- Experienced pilot
- 29 years flying
FAA Response
Initial reaction:
- Investigated
- John Callahan involved
- Data collected
- Then suppression
- Files hidden
John Callahan
FAA official:
- Collected evidence
- Preserved data
- Later revealed
- Government pressure
- Whistleblower
The Cover-up
What happened:
- CIA briefed
- Never happened
- Swamp gas excuse
- Data requested destroyed
- Callahan saved copies
The Release
FOIA obtained:
- Years later
- Documents released
- Confirmed incident
- Radar evidence
- Crew testimony
Captain’s Career
Aftermath:
- Grounded initially
- Later flew desk
- Maintained account
- Professional cost
- Truth telling price
The Size
Terauchi’s estimate:
- Two aircraft carriers
- Enormous object
- Beyond any known craft
- Dwarfed the 747
- Massive scale
Significance
Radar-confirmed extended observation by professional flight crew with subsequent cover-up.
Legacy
JAL 1628 revealed both the reality of UFO encounters and the systematic suppression of evidence—documents preserved only because one official refused to destroy them.