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NARA-JAL1628-733667-001-012 — JAL 1628: FAA chronology of events
- File
- NARA-JAL1628-733667-001-012
- Agency
- Federal Aviation Administration
- Incident date
- Nov 1986
- Location
- Alaska
- File type
Cited in: JAL 1628, 1986: a captain's account and the FAA's radar review
The FAA's chronology of the 17 November 1986 JAL flight 1628 sighting over Alaska and the agency's follow-up. From the FAA series "Information Releases Relating to Unidentified Flying Object" (National Archives, NAID 40587180).
Full text
Page 1
,t
l
INDEX
Tab 1
Index
Tab 2
Chronology of Events
Tab 3
Transcription
Tab 4
Flight Path Chart
Tab 5
Personnel Statements
Tab 6
Daily Record of Facility Operations,
FAA Form 7230-4
Tab 7
Position Logs, FAA Form 7230-10
Tab 8
ZAN EARTS Continuous Data Recordings,
(radar tracking data).
Tab 9
Simulated Radar Data - JL1628
Page 2
Memorandum
U.S. ~rtrnent
of Transponation
Federal Aviation
Administration
Subject:
INFORMATION: Unidentified Traffic Sighting
by Japan Airlines
From:
Air Traffic Manager, Anchorage ARTCC, ZAN-1
To:
Date :
OE.C 1 8 1986
Reply to
Attn. of:
Manager, Air Traffic Division, AAL-500
ATTN : Evaluation Specialist, AAL-51"4
The attached chronology summarizes the communications and
Japan Airlines Flight 1628 on November 18, 1986.
actions
of
Radar data recorded by Anchorage Center does not confirm the presence of
the traffic reported by Flight 1628. No further information has been
received from civil or military sources since the date of the sightings.
Major Johnson of the ~lmendorf Regional Operations Command Center (ROCC)
is checking their re·c·ords and the operations personnel for further
details. He will forward any additional information to Anchorage Center
as soon as possible.
Should you have any questions or need additional information,
Tony Wylie, Quality Assurance Specialist, 269-1162.
Original sigoeg ~
Quentin J. Gates
Attachment
contact
Page 3
DEC l 8 198b
The following is a chronological summary of the alleged aircraft
sightings by Japan Airlines Flight 1628, on November 18, 1986:
All times listed are approximate UTC unless otherwise specified.
0219 - The pilot of JL1628 requested traffic information from the ZAN Sector
15 controller. When the controller advised there was no traffic in
the vicinity, JL1628 responded that they had same direction traffic,
approximately 1 mile in front, and it appeared to be at their
altitude.
When queried about any identifiable markings, the pilot
responded that they could only see white and yellow strobes.
0225 - JL1628 informed ZAN that the traffic was now visible on their radar,
in their 11 o'clock position at 8 miles.
0226 - ZAN contacted the Military Regional Operations Control Center, (ROCC),
and asked if they were receiving any radar returns near the position
of JL1628. The ROCC advised that they were receiving a primary radar
return in JL1628's 10 o'clock position at 8 miles.
0227 - The ROCC contacted ZAN to advise they were no longer receiving any
radar returns in the vicinity of JL1628.
0231 - JL1628 advised that the "plane" was "quite big", at which time the ZAN
controller approve~ any course deviations needed to avoid the traffic.
0232
JL1628 requested and received a descent from FL350 to FL310. When
asked if the traffic was descending also, the pilot stated it was
descending "in formation".
0235 - JL1628 requested and received a heading change to two one zero. The
aircraft was now in the vicinity of Fairbanks and ZAN contacted
Fairbanks Approach Control asking if they had any radar returns near
JL1628's position. The Fairbanks Controller advised they did not.
0236 - JL1628 was issued a 360 degree turn and asked to inform
traffic stayed with them .
ZAN
if the
0238 - The ROCC called ZAN advising they had confirmed a "flight of t-wo" in
JL1628's position .
They advised they had some "other equipment
:·watching this", and one was a primary target only.
0239 - JL16 28 told ZAN they no longer had the traffic in sight.
0242 - The ROCC advised it looked as though the traf fic had dropped back and
to the right of JL1628, however, they were no longer tracking it .
0244 - JL1628 advised the traffic was now at 9 o'clock
0245 -
ZAN issued a 10 degree turn to a northbound Unit ed Airlines flight,
af ter pilot concurrence, in an attempt to confirm the traff ic.
0248 - JL1628 told ZAN the traffic was now at 7 o'clock, 8 miles.
Page 4
.. ' .
DEC 18 1986
0250 - The northbound . United Flight advised they had the Japan Airlines
flight in sight, against a light background, and could not see any
other traffic.
0253 - JL1628 advised they no longer had contact with the traffic.
A subsequent review of ANC ARTCC's radar tracking data failed to confirm any
targets in close proximity to JL1628.
Previous: NARA-JAL1628-733667-001-008 — JAL 1628: transcript of FAA interview with Capt. Terauchi by Dick Gordon (2 Jan 1987) · Next: NARA-JAL1628-733667-001-023 — JAL 1628: FAA explanation of the split beacon target
Same location: Alaska
- NARA-JAL1628-733667-001-007 — JAL 1628: written statement by Capt. Terauchi (English translation by Sakoyo Mimoto)
- NARA-JAL1628-733667-001-008 — JAL 1628: transcript of FAA interview with Capt. Terauchi by Dick Gordon (2 Jan 1987)
- NARA-JAL1628-733667-001-023 — JAL 1628: FAA explanation of the split beacon target
- NARA-JAL1628-733667-001-024 — JAL 1628: FAA public affairs news releases
- NARA-JAL1628-733667-001-025 — JAL 1628: record of communication with the FAA administrator and the U.S. Air Force