APRO Bulletin - 1987 04 00 - Vol 33 No 5

Magazine Overview

The APRO Bulletin, Volume 33, Number 5, published in April 1987, is a magazine dedicated to the investigation of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and related phenomena. This issue features a prominent cover story on "GIANT UFO SHADOWS 747," detailing an encounter by a Japan Airlines pilot, alongside reports on a Tucson flyover, a mysterious "earth cookie" incident, and a U.S. Navy encounter off the coast of Chile.

Giant UFO Shadows 747

This article details the experience of Japan Airlines pilot Kenju Terauchi on flight #1628 on November 17, 1986. While en route from Iceland to Anchorage, Alaska, Terauchi and his two crewmen reported seeing three mysterious craft following their Boeing 747. One object was described as walnut-shaped and enormous, dwarfing the 747, while the other two were smaller. These objects, each with two panels of lights, darted quickly and even appeared in front of the cockpit before disappearing and reappearing. Terauchi described the largest object as "two times bigger than an aircraft carrier." The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Air Force confirmed that a large object appeared on air traffic controllers' radar screens, staying with Flight 1628 for at least 32 minutes. An FAA spokesman noted that while the signal might have been strong enough to be picked up at the time, it did not register on the radar recording system. Subsequent FAA examination suggested a possible double image from the 747, though the inquiry was ongoing. The crew was described as "normal, professional, rational" with over 46 years of combined cockpit experience. Terauchi also reported sighting unusual lights on January 11, 1987, which he believed to be a real UFO.

Canyon Yields Info on Tucson Flyover

Written by Coral E. Lorenzen, this piece investigates the October 7, 1985, multiple-object flyover of the Tucson area. The investigation highlights the difficulty in obtaining accurate information due to the passage through multiple sources. The report details an account from Hector R., who observed what he initially thought was the moon but realized was too far north and below the rim of Agua Caliente Canyon, which was brightly lit. The sighting involved between four and seven lighted objects passing over Tucson every five minutes between midnight and 1:30 a.m. The objects were first detected on radar at Tucson International Airport, and a police helicopter crew saw the lights but could not pursue due to the objects' speed. Other objects were seen in Avra Valley, which seemed to be a rallying point. An aircraft technician reported seeing a large object to the southwest and flashes from the Tucson mountains, which were also seen by the helicopter crew. The article speculates that a large object southwest of the airport and another hovering in Agua Caliente Canyon might have been supervisory craft directing the objects.

Follow-Up - "Sucking Saucers"

This section revisits an incident reported in Vol. 32, No. 10, concerning an event on October 18, 1984, near Grand Coulee, Washington. A large plug of earth was inexplicably "sucked up" from a hole, with the missing earth found seventy-three feet away. Geologist Bill Utterback confirmed the event. Several theories are explored, including underground methane eruptions (ruled out due to gas rarity), lightning, and freak tornadoes. An earthquake that occurred nine days prior is also considered, but geophysicist Stephen Malone dismisses it due to the magnitude-three quake's limited energy dissipation. Other theories mentioned include clandestine Defense Department operations and tiny "black holettes."

Are Aliens Earthling Look-Alikes?

Dr. Cyril Ponnamperuma of the University of Maryland's Laboratory of Chemical Evolution reports on scientific evidence suggesting that life may be fundamentally similar throughout the universe. His research indicates that the key components of biological molecules and the genetic code did not appear by chance, suggesting a universal chemical and physical similarity that could make extraterrestrial beings resemble humans.

What Goes Up-

This article discusses phenomena observed coming down from the sky or appearing on the ground without explanation. It references an article about "Corn Circles Again" in the Fortean magazine, detailing a 68-foot diameter circle in a Hampshire corn field on July 5, 1986, followed by a smaller circle the next day. These circles featured wheat swirled in clockwise and counter-clockwise directions. The article also recalls a clipping from the September 21, 1966, Milwaukee Journal about corn kernels falling from the sky, a phenomenon witnessed on numerous occasions by Gary Bryan. Pinto beans were also occasionally reported falling.

NASA Scientist Tracks Pilot Reports

Richard Haines, a NASA scientist with over 20 years of experience in the man-in-space program, has tracked over 3,000 UFO sightings reported by military, civilian, and commercial pilots. He categorizes these reports into UFOs that suddenly appear and disappear, and those that tail aircraft for extended periods. Haines initially tried to explain these phenomena as strange lighting but, after examining the data, concluded that "we are facing something totally different."

The Leaky Embargo Theory

James Deardorff, a retired professor emeritus of atmospheric sciences, proposes the "leaky embargo" theory. This theory suggests that aliens have a self-imposed embargo on direct contact with Earth to avoid cultural, political, and economic chaos. However, they wish to make themselves known gradually through limited forms of contact, which could explain numerous UFO sightings and accompanying bizarre stories. Deardorff also posits that Earth may be special due to its young, newly-emerging society, attracting extraterrestrial attention.

Press Reports

This section compiles several recent UFO sighting reports:

• Pennsylvania, New Stanton (August 31, 1986): Over 20 people reported seeing a 50-foot-long metallic object with multiple yellow-green lights moving low over cars. An FAA traffic controller described it as unlike any conventional aircraft.
• Missouri, Sikeston (October 8, 1986): Three witnesses saw a large "hotdog"-shaped object with red and aqua blue lights glide silently across the sky.
• California, Saratoga (October 21, 1936): About 15 people reported a mysterious bright red light hovering in the sky, with a similar event on October 5. One witness described something burning or flickering dropping from it.
• New Jersey, Hudson County (December 15, 1986): Residents reported hearing an especially loud UFO and seeing a large round object emitting red beams.
• New York, Morris (December 29 & 30, 1986): A mysterious noise accompanied by vibrations shook houses, described as a sound similar to an explosion.
• California, Port Jervis (following day): More than 30 calls reported a boom that shook western Orange County.

EM UFO Incident Off Chile in 1969

This concluding part of a report by Bill Chalker details an encounter by a U.S. Navy destroyer in 1969. Smaller objects separated from a large UFO, flying in "elliptical circles." The large object caused a power outage on the ship, and instruments went dead for seconds. The Commander reportedly asked, "What the hell is that?" The objects rejoined the larger craft, which then vanished. The report mentions alleged attempts at "brainwashing" the crew, with witnesses being confined and told they saw nothing. The author notes the similarity to the NBC telemovie "The Disappearance of Flight 412" and a similar experience reported in the book "Clear Intent."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The APRO Bulletin consistently focuses on detailed accounts of UFO sightings, pilot reports, and radar anomalies, often presenting witness testimony with a degree of skepticism towards official explanations. The magazine appears to support the idea that many UFO phenomena are genuine and unexplained, and that there may be a deliberate effort to suppress information, as suggested by the "leaky embargo" theory and the alleged "brainwashing" incident off Chile. The editorial stance leans towards encouraging further investigation and open-mindedness regarding extraterrestrial possibilities, while also acknowledging the challenges in verifying such accounts due to misrepresentation and potential cover-ups.