Quick Info
November 17, 1986. Japan Airlines Flight 1628, a Boeing 747-246F cargo jet (JA8178) en route from Paris to Tokyo via Anchorage, encountered three unidentified objects over eastern Alaska. Captain Kenju Terauchi and crew reported two small craft and one enormous "mothership" pacing the aircraft for nearly 50 minutes. The sighting was visually confirmed by all three crew members, detected on onboard weather radar, and tracked by primary radar at Anchorage ARTCC and briefly by Elmendorf AFB military radar. The mothership was described as walnut-shaped, twice the size of an aircraft carrier, with rows of lights or windows. FAA investigated; radar tapes were reportedly confiscated. One of the most credible aviation UFO cases due to multi-sensor corroboration and professional witnesses.
The Flight: Routine Cargo Run Turns Extraordinary
Japan Airlines Flight 1628 was a scheduled cargo service from Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) to Tokyo Narita (NRT) with a refueling stop in Anchorage (ANC). The aircraft was a Boeing 747-246F freighter (registration JA8178), heavily loaded with cargo including French wine. The crew consisted of three highly experienced professionals:
- Captain Kenju Terauchi , 29 years flying experience, former Japan Air Self-Defense Force fighter pilot, 10,000+ hours total time, highly regarded.
- First Officer Takanori Tamefuji , Co-pilot, experienced on 747s.
- Flight Engineer Yoshio Tsukuba , Engineer monitoring systems.
The flight departed Paris on November 16 (UTC), arrived Reykjavik for fuel, then continued to Anchorage. The leg from Reykjavik to Anchorage crossed remote eastern Alaska under clear night skies, excellent visibility, no significant weather. The aircraft cruised at FL350 (~35,000 ft), heading southwest toward Anchorage. Local time in Alaska was around 17:00–18:00 AST when the encounter began.
Detailed Timeline: The Encounter Unfolds
Times are approximate Alaska Standard Time (AST), reconstructed from FAA transcripts, crew interviews, radar logs, and Captain Terauchi's statements.
~17:09–17:11: Near Fort Yukon (~200 NM NE of Anchorage), Captain Terauchi notices two bright lights off the left side (port), below and slightly ahead. Initially assumes conventional traffic. Lights appear intense white/yellow, no strobe or navigation lights. Terauchi points them out to FO and FE.
"At first I thought they were airplanes, but they were too bright and too close."
– Captain Kenju Terauchi (1987 Nippon TV interview)
~17:15: Lights close rapidly, pacing the 747 at ~10–20 NM. Crew observes two distinct objects. Terauchi radios Anchorage ARTCC (Center): "We have traffic in sight... two objects... very close." Center confirms no known traffic in area.
~17:20–17:25: Objects maneuver aggressively, sharp turns, sudden acceleration/deceleration. Terauchi describes them as "two small ships" with "walnut-shaped" or cylindrical sections emitting light. Onboard weather radar briefly paints returns. Crew feels uneasy but continues.
"They were moving in ways no aircraft can... sharp right angles, instant speed changes."
– Captain Terauchi (FAA interview, 1986)
~17:30: Anchorage ARTCC confirms primary radar contact (non-transponder) trailing JAL 1628 at similar speed/altitude. Military radar (Elmendorf ROCC) also sees intermittent primary return. Center asks Terauchi for description; he reports "two objects, bright, no strobes."
~17:35–17:40: Objects move extremely close, lights illuminate cockpit, crew feels heat through windows. Terauchi performs evasive 360° turn and descent to FL310; objects follow precisely. Captain reports to Center: "They are very close... following us."
"The cockpit was lit up like daylight... I felt heat on my face."
– Captain Terauchi (later interviews)
~17:45: Massive object appears behind, described as "mothership," twice the size of an aircraft carrier (~500–600 m long), walnut-shaped, with windows/lights along edges. No heat signature on radar despite size. Terauchi sketches it frantically.
"It was enormous... like two aircraft carriers joined together. Walnut-shaped, with rows of lights or windows. It filled the sky behind us."
– Captain Kenju Terauchi (1987 press conference and Nippon TV)
~17:50–18:00: Mothership paces from rear, massive silhouette blocks stars. Crew estimates distance 5–10 NM. Anchorage radar loses contact; objects vanish as flight nears Talkeetna. Crew shaken but safe.
~18:20: Flight lands safely in Anchorage. Crew debriefed by FAA. Terauchi reports sighting to JAL management and FAA investigators.
Crew Descriptions & Sketches
Captain Terauchi (primary witness): "Two small ships and the mothership." Small objects had "nozzles" or cylindrical sections emitting light. Mothership: "walnut-shaped," enormous, with rows of windows/lights. Drew sketches showing large discoid/oval craft with protrusions.
Co-pilot Tamefuji & Flight Engineer Tsukuba: Confirmed lights/objects, radar returns, but less detailed visual on mothership. Tamefuji: "Bright lights following us... no normal aircraft behavior."
Full FAA Transcripts: Anchorage ARTCC Communications
The FAA Anchorage Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) recorded radio communications during the encounter. Below are key excerpts from declassified transcripts (from Black Vault documents and FAA reports). Times in UTC (add 9 hours for AST). Full transcripts are extensive; these highlight critical moments.
(0219 UTC / ~1719 AST) JL1628: Anchorage Center Japan Air sixteen twenty eight ah do you have any traffic ah seven o'clock above? R/Dl5: Japan Air sixteen twenty eight heavy say again. JL1628: Ah do you have any traffic in front of us? R/Dl5: Japan Air sixteen twenty eight heavy negative. JL1628: Ah Japan Air sixteen twenty eight roger and ah we insight ah two traffic ah in front of us one mile about. R/Dl5: Japan Air sixteen twenty eight roger do you have ah can you identify the aircraft? JL1628: Ah we are not sure but ah we have traffic in sight now. R/Dl5: Japan Air sixteen twenty eight heavy roger maintain visual contact with your traffic and ah can you say the altitude of the traffic? JL1628: Um at the same altitude sixteen twenty eight. R/Dl5: Japan Air sixteen twenty eight roger would you like higher or lower altitude? (0225 UTC / ~1725 AST) JL1628: Anchorage Center Japan Air sixteen twenty eight we have traffic in sight now. R/Dl5: Roger sir. Would you (JAL 1628) like our military to scramble on the traffic? JL1628: Negative, negative. (0256 UTC / ~1756 AST) TOTEM71: Anchorage Center Totem seven one. Rl5: Totem seven one go ahead. TOTEM71: Sir after your ah the seven forty seven goes by you ah your discretion direct Eilson. Rl5: Okay that would be Elmendorf sir but ah understand direct Totem seven one that's my correction sir be direct Elmendorf your discretion. TOTEM71: Roger sir. (0257 UTC / ~1757 AST) Rl5: Japan Air one six two eight leaving ah three one zero for ah two five zero now. JL1628: Japan Air sixteen twenty eight heavy roger and traffic in your eleven o'clock ah correction your ten o'clock position five miles westbound is a military C one thirty flight level two four zero. JL1628: Roger Japan Air sixteen twenty eight heavy contact Anchorage Center one one eight point two.
The transcripts show the crew reporting visual contact, requesting no scramble (safety concern), and ATC confirming no known traffic. Primary radar tracked the unknown intermittently. FAA interviews (Nov 17, 1986) with crew noted consistency but no final conclusion. John Callahan (FAA HQ) later testified radar tapes showed anomalous object; confiscated by "men in suits."
FAA Investigation & Radar Data
FAA Anchorage Center manager John Callahan (later public testimony): Primary radar (non-transponder) tracked unknown object pacing JAL 1628. Data tapes confiscated by "men in suits" (CIA/FAA higher-ups). No secondary radar (transponder) returns on unknowns. FAA final statement: "Insufficient evidence to confirm unidentified objects," but initial press release acknowledged radar contact.
"The radar data showed an object accelerating and decelerating at impossible rates... The tapes were taken away."
– John Callahan (FAA manager, 2010s testimony)
John Callahan's Testimony: The FAA Manager Who Saw the Radar Data
John Callahan was the Division Chief of the Accidents and Investigations Branch of the FAA in Washington, D.C. during the events of November 1986. He played a central role in the official FAA investigation of the Japan Airlines Flight 1628 incident and later became one of the most important whistleblowers regarding how the case was handled at the highest levels of the agency.
Callahan's Position & Involvement
As Division Chief, Callahan was responsible for reviewing and archiving radar data and voice communications related to aviation incidents and accidents. When the JAL 1628 crew reported unusual radar contacts and visual sightings to Anchorage ARTCC, the radar data tapes from Anchorage Center were automatically preserved and forwarded to FAA headquarters in Washington for review , standard procedure for any unusual event involving an air carrier.
Callahan personally examined the primary radar data plots and the voice tapes. He later stated that the radar returns showed an object that:
- Was not squawking a transponder code (primary return only)
- Was pacing JAL 1628 at similar altitude and speed
- Performed sudden accelerations and decelerations that he described as "impossible for any known aircraft"
- At one point showed a rapid 90-degree turn and instantaneous velocity change
"The radar data showed an object accelerating and decelerating at impossible rates… The tapes were taken away."
– John Callahan (testimony, multiple interviews 2000s–2010s)
The Meeting at FAA Headquarters
Several days after the incident, Callahan was called to a meeting at FAA headquarters in Washington. Present were:
- Representatives from the CIA
- Representatives from the FBI
- Personnel from the Reagan White House staff
- Senior FAA officials
- John Callahan himself
Callahan brought the radar tapes and plots to the meeting. He described the atmosphere as very serious. The CIA representative reportedly told everyone present:
"This event never happened. We were never here. We're confiscating all the data, and you are all sworn to secrecy."
– CIA representative (according to John Callahan's testimony)
Callahan stated that the radar tapes and voice recordings were taken from him at the end of the meeting and he never saw them again. He was instructed not to discuss the matter further.
Callahan's Public Statements & Motivations
Callahan remained silent about the incident for many years. He began speaking publicly in the early 2000s after retiring from the FAA. His main motivation, he said, was to set the record straight and to counter the official FAA position that "there was insufficient evidence."
Key points Callahan consistently emphasized in interviews (e.g., at the 2007 National Press Club event organized by Stephen Bassett, in documentaries, and in statements to researchers):
- The radar data was real and showed anomalous behavior
- The object was not any known aircraft or natural phenomenon
- The tapes were deliberately removed and the incident covered up
- The crew was credible and professional
- He believed the event was significant enough that it should have been openly investigated
"I brought the tapes to Washington because I thought it was something important. After that meeting, I was told to forget about it. But I couldn't forget what I saw on those tapes."
– John Callahan (2007 National Press Club event)
Significance of Callahan's Testimony
Callahan is one of the highest-ranking FAA officials to ever publicly discuss a UFO-related case. His testimony is frequently cited because:
- He had direct access to the original radar data
- He was present at the high-level meeting where the data was allegedly confiscated
- He had no personal agenda or prior interest in UFOs
- His account has remained consistent over many years
While skeptics have questioned whether he accurately recalled the meeting or misinterpreted the radar data, no one has produced evidence that directly contradicts his core claims. The confiscation of the tapes has also never been officially explained by the FAA or any other agency.
Related Resources
- 2007 National Press Club event video (Callahan speaks starting around 1:08:00)
- Interviews in documentaries such as Out of the Blue (2003) and The Phoenix Lights… We Are Not Alone
- Statements archived on the Black Vault and MUFON websites
Archival Footage and Interviews
More archival interviews and analyses on YouTube
Official FAA Response & Aftermath
FAA interviewed crew in Anchorage; transcripts show genuine concern. Captain Terauchi grounded temporarily, labeled "UFO repeater" internally (prior unrelated sightings). JAL demoted him to desk duty for public statements. FAA closed case quickly; no further action.
Skeptical Explanations
Phillip Klass / Robert Sheaffer / Brian Dunning: Planets Jupiter & Mars (visible low horizon, bright). Autokinesis (eye movement illusion) explains motion. No extraordinary radar data; primary returns likely clutter or misidentified traffic. Terauchi's mothership sketch inconsistent with radar.
Counterpoints: Multi-sensor (visual + onboard radar + ground primary radar). Trained observers (29,000+ hour captain). No prosaic fit for all elements (size, maneuverability, radar confirmation).
Legacy in 2026
40 years later, JAL 1628 remains one of the strongest aviation UAP cases: multi-witness, radar, official docs. Parallels modern Navy incidents. Terauchi maintained account until death (2022). No definitive debunking; cited in UAP literature as unexplained.
