CUFORN Bulletin - Vol 08 No 01 - 1987 - Jan-Feb

Magazine Overview

Title: CUFORN BULLETIN
Issue: Vol. 8, No.1
Date: January-February, 1987
Publisher: CUFORN Inc.
Country: Canada
Price: $3.00

This issue of the CUFORN Bulletin, published by the Canadian U.F.O. Research Network, focuses heavily on the significant Japan Airlines (JAL) Flight 1628 incident that occurred over Alaska on November 17, 1986. The magazine presents multiple reports and analyses of this event, drawing from news sources like UPI and Associated Press, as well as internal CUFORN information.

The Alaska UFO Sighting: JAL Flight 1628

The central theme of this issue is the encounter of JAL pilot Kenju Terauchi and his crew with unidentified flying objects over Alaska. The incident, which gained national media attention, involved a JAL Boeing 747 cargo jet en route from Reykjavik, Iceland, to Anchorage.

Pilot Testimony and Object Description

Captain Kenjyu Terauchi, a pilot with 27 years of experience, reported seeing three unidentified objects. He described the primary object as "very big – two times bigger than an aircraft carrier," and shaped like a "large shelled walnut." Two smaller objects, described as "twin cylinders," accompanied the larger craft. Terauchi stated the objects were first seen as flashing lights, appearing in front of the cockpit at close range, and later observed in profile. He noted that the smaller UFOs did not appear on his radar, but the larger one did register on his cockpit weather radar.

Radar and FAA Involvement

The incident is notable because it involved potential radar confirmation. Air traffic controllers at Anchorage reported seeing a mysterious object on their radar trailing the JAL jet. Air Force officials at the Alaska Air Command also reported picking up something near the plane. However, when radar tapes were replayed, the reported echoes could not be found, and the FAA attributed these to "clutter" or "split images." Despite the lack of definitive radar evidence, the FAA confirmed that the incident did take place and interviewed the crew, finding them to be "professional, rational, well-trained people." The FAA closed its inquiry, calling the event a "mystery."

Crew Experience and Reactions

The three crew members of JAL Flight 1628 have a combined total of approximately 46 years of flying experience. Terauchi, despite the unusual nature of the event, maintained his composure, stating, "No, I am the captain. I cannot be nervous." The crew's primary reaction was a desire to escape the situation, and they made evasive maneuvers, including altitude changes and turns, with FAA permission. Terauchi speculated that the objects might have extraterrestrial origins, humorously suggesting they might have been interested in the cargo of French Beaujolais wine.

Media Coverage and Subsequent Events

The bulletin highlights the media's interest in the sighting, noting that the FAA released details after inquiries from Japanese reporters. It also mentions that Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska was reportedly closed to the public shortly after the sighting due to "security concerns." The issue references news reports from USA Today and mentions television coverage on CNN and Channel 5 in New York.

Second Terauchi Sighting

In addition to the November incident, the bulletin reports that Captain Kenjyu Terauchi reported another sighting on January 12, 1987. This time, he observed lights that approached from the front of his Boeing 747, went beneath the aircraft, and reappeared behind it. Unlike the November sighting, these lights did not show up on radar, and some pilots suggested they could be caused by light bouncing off ice crystals.

Other Reports and Features

Ontario Sightings

The issue includes reports of two sightings in Ontario, Canada:

• Unionville, Ontario (July 21, 1986): A resident observed multi-colored lights that appeared and disappeared.
• Newburgh, Ontario (January 3, 1987): A young man videotaped red and white lights in a triangular formation that hovered.

Book Promotion

Budd Hopkins, author of "Missing Time," is featured with information about his upcoming book, "Intruders: The Incredible Visitations in the Kitley Woods," and his promotional tour in Toronto.

UFO Letters

A section titled "UFO LETTERS" includes a query from Ole Jonny Branne of Norway, who is researching the 1946 "ghost rockets" over Scandinavia and Western Europe, and the 1952 Spitzbergen incident. He is seeking information and the book "The Airship File" by Thomas E. Bullard.

UPI Correspondence

A letter from James F. Pecora of United Press International to Larry Fenwick explains the difficulty in retrieving broadcast copy of the JAL UFO sighting due to UPI's reduced paper file retention policies. He suggests checking radio stations for FCC-mandated script recordings or microfilm archives of newspapers like The New York Times.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The CUFORN Bulletin consistently focuses on UFO/UAP sightings, pilot testimonies, and official investigations, often highlighting cases with potential radar confirmation. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry into unexplained aerial phenomena, presenting evidence and witness accounts for the reader's consideration. The inclusion of various news reports and personal letters suggests an effort to cover a broad spectrum of UFO-related activities and research. The publication emphasizes its non-profit, investigative nature.

Title: CUFORN BULLETIN
Issue: Jan.-Feb., 1987
Volume: 11
Date: January-February, 1987
Publisher: CUFORN
Country: Canada
Language: English

This issue of the CUFORN Bulletin features a critical examination of researcher John B. Musgrave's evolving theories on UFO abductions, alongside an introduction to a comprehensive UFO bibliography compiled by George Eberhart.

A Myth Called Musgrave: Editorial by Lawrence J. Fenwick

Lawrence J. Fenwick's editorial challenges John B. Musgrave's recent stance that UFO abduction experiences are primarily vivid dreams. Fenwick questions Musgrave's assertion, pointing out that while stress is common, not everyone experiences such detailed encounters. He implies that Musgrave's new theory might be an oversimplification or a way to dismiss the phenomenon. The editorial references Musgrave's past work, including his book 'UFO Occupants and Critters,' which focused on close encounters, contrasting it with his current views.

UFO Tales Are Seen As Dreams by Gordon Kent

This article from The Edmonton Journal by Gordon Kent introduces John B. Musgrave, an Edmonton-based researcher who has significantly altered his views on UFOs. Musgrave, a graduate student in comparative literature at the University of Alberta, is studying abduction folklore as a historical phenomenon. He posits that modern UFO abduction accounts bear striking resemblances to tales of witches from the Renaissance, suggesting a shared psychological basis rooted in the human need to 'get away from it all.'

Kent highlights specific cases, such as a Calgary teenager's alleged encounter and a Wetaskivin couple's sighting of a saucer-shaped object. Musgrave believes these experiences often occur in tired individuals under stress. He theorizes that while some phenomena, like unexplained lights, might exist, the 'contact' aspect is often a product of the mind, possibly influenced by external factors or a desire for escape.

Musgrave acknowledges that some unidentified flying objects may exist but insists that any alien contact would involve all of humanity, not isolated individuals. He suggests that investigators, particularly those using hypnosis, might inadvertently lead subjects to 'prove' the reality of their abductions.

Editorial Continued from Page 11

This section continues the critique of Musgrave's theories. The author notes that Musgrave affirmed quotes from the Edmonton Journal article and mentioned past associations with figures like George Adamski and involvement in the Travis Walton abduction case investigation. Musgrave's current view is that physical marks on abductees are mentally produced, including scars and burn rings. He also suggests that abnormally high radiation levels at UFO event sites might be an exception to his 'mind-produced' theory.

The author criticizes Musgrave's logic, calling his analogies between witch and alien abductions 'tenuous' and 'spurious.' The piece questions whether Musgrave's PhD research in comparative literature is influencing his judgment, potentially leading him to suspend common sense in favor of a 'theory' that might enhance his thesis.

The editorial concludes by suggesting that Musgrave's shift in views makes the work of anti-UFO organizations easier and that his credibility in ufology has diminished. CUFORN Co-Director Harry Tokarz is quoted as saying Musgrave might have been 'programmed or conditioned' or is 'a complete idiot.'

Reading List: Revised For 1987

This section advertises CUFORN's revised reading list, available for $2.00. The list covers various categories, including general UFO theories, historical accounts, scientific viewpoints, military involvement, localized reports, abductions, and close encounters of the third kind. It also includes a list of journals and investigation manuals.

New Book Lists All There is to Know About UFOs by Bernard Schoenburg (Associated Press)

This Associated Press article by Bernard Schoenburg profiles George Eberhart, an editor for an American Library Association magazine and volunteer librarian for the J. Allen Hynek Center for UFO Studies. Eberhart has compiled a massive two-volume, 1,300-page bibliography titled 'UFOs and the Extraterrestrial Contact Movement: A Bibliography.'

The work lists over 15,600 books and reports on UFOs, including articles, records, tapes, and unpublished works. Eberhart states that the phenomenon behaves 'at odds with what we consider reality' and that his interest stems from the impact UFOs have had on the human race, not necessarily from a belief in all the material.

The bibliography includes entries on various topics, such as 'UFOs: Nazi Secret Weapon?', UFO abductions, animal mutilations, and historical UFO reports dating back to the Roman Empire. Eberhart notes a decline in reported sightings from the early 1980s, with an uptick in recent years. He also mentions that new technology, like experimental Stealth planes, makes it harder to distinguish genuine UFO reports from conventional aircraft.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme in this issue is the critical re-evaluation of prominent UFO researchers' theories, particularly John B. Musgrave's shift from acknowledging UFOs to explaining abductions as dreams and folklore. The editorial stance is skeptical of Musgrave's new position, viewing it as a potential retreat from serious investigation and a simplification of complex phenomena. The issue also champions the importance of comprehensive documentation and research, as exemplified by George Eberhart's extensive bibliography, while maintaining a critical eye on the interpretation of the data.