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GovernmentMay 8, 2026Analysis complete

65 HS1-834228961 62-HQ-83894 Serial 130

The released record says mr. Alpheus O. Powell sighted an unidentified flying object on 4 August 1947. File: 65 HS1-834228961 62-HQ-83894 Serial 130. 65 HS1-834228961 62-HQ-83894 Serial 130 combines an official, downloadable document, 15 extracted claims, 7 evidence records, and 6 timeline entries across 126 source pages, and file-level provenance that can be compared with related release records.

File
Document · Release 01
Extent
126 pages
Agency
FBI

Probed Assessment

The released record says mr. Alpheus O. Powell sighted an unidentified flying object on 4 August 1947. File: 65 HS1-834228961 62-HQ-83894 Serial 130.

Key takeaways

  • The released record says the object was not a tow target, a pilot balloon, or a radiosonic device.
  • The released record says in addition to confirming SMITi'S statements concerning the flight, etc., STEVENS stated substantially as follows: "I was flying the plane when I spotted the first object et 2012 on the 4th of July, eight minutes after departure from Boise, Idaho.
  • The document records that samns berwse he was sure it should be made known to her in order that the incident might be reported ty telegram immediately There was one other sighting reported from a "iver Warden at South Branch

Why it matters

65 HS1-834228961 62-HQ-83894 Serial 130 combines an official, downloadable document, 15 extracted claims, 7 evidence records, and 6 timeline entries across 126 source pages, and file-level provenance that can be compared with related release records.

Corroboration

For 65 HS1-834228961 62-HQ-83894 Serial 130, the release establishes official provenance but does not independently verify the record's statement that mr. Alpheus O. Powell sighted an unidentified flying object on 4 August 1947.

Open questions

  • Which companion records, if any, independently corroborate the source claims extracted from this 126-page document?

Probed separates this editorial assessment from the source claims below. It summarizes what the released artifact supports; it is not independent verification.

Official Description from War.gov

The FBI's 62-HQ-83894 case file includes investigative records, eyewitness testimonies, and public reports concerning Unidentified Flying Objects and flying discs documented between June 1947 and July 1968. The records include high-profile incident accounts, photographic evidence from sites like Oak Ridge, TN, and technical proposals regarding potential propulsion systems. Additional topics include convention programs, researcher accounts, and extensive media coverage from the period. This file is partially posted on FBI vault with more redactions and some pages missing. Included here is the complete case file with several newly declassified pages and only minor redactions.

Preserved verbatim as source metadata. This wording is separate from Probed’s file-specific description and assessment.

File Context

Related entities

18

Tracker findings

8

Mr. Alpheus O. Powell sighted an unidentified flying object on 4 August 1947

The released document states that mr. Alpheus O. Powell sighted an unidentified flying object on 4 August 1947.

P-40-length cylindrical object described in report

The released document states that the object was about the length of a P-40 fuselage, blunt at both ends, cylindrical in shape, and having a bright orange hue.

The object was traveling at approximately 160 mph

The released document states that the object was traveling at approximately 160 mph.

The object was not a tow target, a pilot balloon, or a radiosonic device

The released document states that the object was not a tow target, a pilot balloon, or a radiosonic device.

Serial 130 account says one object rose then joined direction of others

Serial 130 account says one object rose then joined direction of others. The OCR page states: I saw one that seemed to come straight up, 'The view of where it came from was obstructed by » nearby house; ar when 4t reached the altitude of avvroximately 2000feet, it started off.

Serial 130 account reports ten objects at 9,000 feet

Serial 130 account reports ten objects at 9,000 feet. The OCR page states: (The navy and the manuf turer have announced off: ly that only one such machine 'was built and that it never left Connecticut. "These planes were flying high, maybe 9000 feet, and fair ly.

Lake Mead account describes formation at about 10,000 feet

Lake Mead account describes formation at about 10,000 feet. The OCR page states: Armstrong, stationed at Hq, 10th AAF, Brooks A\F, Texas had related to him that he san a formation of unexplainable objects in the vicinity of Lake Mead, Nev. Captain Amstrong, further stated that his.

Serial 130 account says second group stayed visible twelve minutes

Serial 130 account says second group stayed visible twelve minutes. The OCR page states: We had the second group in sight for about twelve minutes. The last tine seen, they were still in that formation and disappeared into the sunset.

Release provenance

Release
Release 01
Official ID
release-01-file-025-65-hs1-834228961-62-hq-83894-serial-130
Cleared
May 8, 2026
Official release source

Referenced Timeline

  1. Page 14

    Sighting by Staff Sergeant Ira L. Livings

    Staff Sergeant Ira L. Livings observed flying discs in Birmingham, Alabama.

  2. Page 18

    Sighting at Harmon Field, Newfoundland

    Final report of sighting of a flying disc at Harmon Field, Newfoundland.

  3. Page 18

    Sighting at Codroy, Newfoundland

    Final report of sighting of a flying disc at Codroy, Newfoundland.

  4. Page 21

    Sighting from Steamship 'BURGEO'

    Final report of sighting of a flying disc from the steamship 'BURGEO'.

  5. Page 18

    Sighting at Harmon Field, Newfoundland

    Final report of sighting of flying saucers at Harmon Field, Newfoundland.

  6. Page 1

    Sighting by Alpheus O. Powell

    Mr. Powell sighted an unidentified flying object while flying from Gander, Newfoundland, to La Guardia Field, New York.

Source Claims

Claims are attributed to the released source and remain distinct from Probed’s assessment and tracker findings.

Source reportedObservedPage 1

Mr. Alpheus O. Powell sighted an unidentified flying object on 4 August 1947.

On 4 August 1947, Mr Powell, an Airlines Captain with Pan American Airways, Inc., was the first pilot of e Constellation type aircraft on flight from Gander, Newfoundland, to La Guardia Field, New York.

Source reportedObservedPage 4

The object was not a tow target, a pilot balloon, or a radiosonic device.

Mr Powell stated that he has seen numerous pilot balloons, radiosonic devices and tow targets, while on flights; the object observed on this flight definitely was not one of them.

Source reportedAssertedPage 109

In addition to confirming SMITi'S statements concerning the flight, etc., STEVENS stated substantially as follows: "I was flying the plane when I spotted the first object et 2012 on the 4th of July, eight minutes after departure from Boise, Idaho.

In addition to confirming SMITi'S statements concerning the flight, etc., STEVENS stated substantially as follows: "I was flying the plane when I spotted the first object et 2012 on the 4th of July, eight minutes after departure from Boise, Idaho.

Source reportedAssertedPage 20

The document records that samns berwse he was sure it should be made known to her in order that the incident might be reported ty telegram immediately There was one other sighting reported from a "iver Warden at South Branch.

Samns berwse he was sure it should be made known to her in order that the incident might be reported ty telegram immediately There was one other sighting reported from a "iver Warden at South Branch.

Source reportedAssertedPage 21

The four gentlemen (noted in Par.10) and Captain Gullage, Yaster of the "Burgeo", were standing on the starboard deck, and as the Captain was trying t+ describe a previous sighting, he saw the flashes.

The four gentlemen (noted in Par.10) and Captain Gullage, Yaster of the "Burgeo", were standing on the starboard deck, and as the Captain was trying t+ describe a previous sighting, he saw the flashes

Source reportedAssertedPage 38

The document records that i can say am a prospector and was in the Mt Adams district on dune 24th the day Kennet Arnold of Boise Idaho claims he saw a formation of flying disc.

I can say am a prospector and was in the Mt Adams district on dune 24th the day Kennet Arnold of Boise Idaho claims he saw a formation of flying disc.

Source reportedAssertedPage 52

The document records that dear sir: On Sunday afternoon, July the Sixth, I observed something very strange ; it is related at least im my own mind-— with the phenomena of the "Fabulous Blying Saucers# and I cannot report on thig second phemomena , without speaking of the first.

Dear sir: On Sunday afternoon, July the Sixth, I observed something very strange ; it is related at least im my own mind-— with the phenomena of the "Fabulous Blying Saucers# and I cannot report on thig second phemomena , without speaking of the first.

Source reportedAssertedPage 106

The document records that zohn, Administrative Assistant in the Rocket Sonde Section, NRL, who had previously released information to the press regarding an aerial object which he stated he sav at White Sands, New Mexico, 29 June.

Zohn, Administrative Assistant in the Rocket Sonde Section, NRL, who had previously released information to the press regarding an aerial object which he stated he sav at White Sands, New Mexico, 29 June.

Source reportedAssertedPage 18

The document records that woodruff was the first to see the Disc, it appeared to rent or split the clouds thru which it passed and left a Pluish Black trail approx.

Woodruff was the first to see the Disc, it appeared to rent or split the clouds thru which it passed and left a Pluish Black trail approx.

Source reportedAssertedPage 81

The document records that SAVAGE stated that between the days 17 May to 21 May 1947, just after dusk, he observed an object which he believed to be a small aircraft in the south.

SAVAGE stated that between the days 17 May to 21 May 1947, just after dusk, he observed an object which he believed to be a small aircraft in the south.

Source reportedAssertedPage 83

The document records that about 11:30 AM, Sunday, June 22nd, I was working outdoors on a step~ ladder, looking up, and suddenly there appeared across my line of vision a speeding, brilliant, small, round-shaped, silvery-white object at an altitude I would judge to be about 1,000 ft.

About 11:30 AM, Sunday, June 22nd, I was working outdoors on a step~ ladder, looking up, and suddenly there appeared across my line of vision a speeding, brilliant, small, round-shaped, silvery-white object at an altitude I would judge to be about 1,000 ft.

Source reportedAssertedPage 126

The document records that it was impossible to estimate the height or speed of the disk except that it appeared to be moving rather repidl; Miss Baron observed the Wisk when her balloon was at about 27 thousand feet.

It was impossible to estimate the height or speed of the disk except that it appeared to be moving rather repidl; Miss Baron observed the Wisk when her balloon was at about 27 thousand feet.

Source reportedAssertedPage 30

The document records that at approximately 10 o'eloek in the evening of 10 July 1947 I was standing by my store door; I happened to look up and saw what appeared to be a "FLYING SAUCER".

At approximately 10 o'eloek in the evening of 10 July 1947 I was standing by my store door; I happened to look up and saw what appeared to be a "FLYING SAUCER".

Source reportedAssertedPage 19

The document records that besides the two men, the object was sighted by Albert Samms; he reported what he had seen to his mother.

Besides the two men, the object was sighted by Albert Samms; he reported what he had seen to his mother.

Source reportedAssertedPage 32

The document records that lest Thursday night I was out by our house, I happened to look up and saw what I thought wae an airoplane It-was flying at the height of a plene that is flying high.

Lest Thursday night I was out by our house, I happened to look up and saw what I thought wae an airoplane It-was flying at the height of a plene that is flying high.

Source reportedAssertedPage 1

the object was traveling at approximately 160 mph.

Mr Powell estimated the course of the object to be 200° magnetic, and that the object was travelling at approximately 160 mph.

Source reportedAssertedPage 1

the object was about the length of a P-40 fuselage, blunt at both ends, cylindrical in shape, and having a bright orange hue.

Mr Powell described the object as being about the length of a P-40 fuselage, blunt at both ends, cylindrical in shape, and having a bright orange hue.

Source Material & Evidence

statement

Interview - Alpheus O. Powell

Page 1

document

Summary of Information, 12 September 1947, Hq ADC

Page 3

statement

Statement of Staff Sergeant Ira L. Livings

Page 14

document

Final Report of Sighting, 23 Jul 47

Page 15

document

Final Report of Sighting, 10 Jul 47

Page 17

document

Final Report of Sighting, 11 Jul 47

Page 19

document

Final Report of Sighting, 20 Jul 47

Page 21

Research Map

18 entities · 6 grounded links

Lines appear only when two entities share a row-level source claim or dated timeline event. Unconnected nodes remain visible without implying a relationship.

UAP/Disclosure Graph
18 nodes6 links