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This package was compiled by the FAA Alaskan Region Public Affairs Office in Anchorage and sent to FAA managers with a memo from Paul Steucke dated March 5, 1987. It gathers material on the November 17, 1986 sighting by the crew of Japan Air Lines flight 1628: a news release, pilot and controller transcripts, crew interviews and radar analysis. The FAA concluded that it could not confirm the event. It attributed the second radar target to a split, uncorrelated return from the JAL Boeing 747 and planned no further investigation.
“white light”15 pages
PERSONNEL STATEMENT FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINSTRATION Anchorage Air Route Traffic Control Center January 9, 1987 The following is a report concerning the incident involving Japan Airlines Flight 1628 (JL1628) North of Fairbanks, Alaska on November 18, 1986 at 0218 UTC. My name is Joseph Rollins (JR). I am employed as an Air Traffic Control Specialist by the Federal Aviation Administration at the Anchorage Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC), Anchorage, Alaska. During the period of 2340 UTC, November 17, 1986 to 1850 UTC, November 18, 1986 I was on duty in the Anchorage ARTCC. I was working the El position from 0006 UTC, November 18, 1986 to 0425 UTC, November 18, 1986. During the time period p~ior to this incident all operations were normal. I had assigned Mr. Henley to the combined Rl5, Dl5 position to work by .himself. The traffic was light and lunch breaks were in progress. At approximately 0220 UTC Mr. Henley informed me that JL1628 had indicated that he had traffic and wanted information. I then advised the Area Manager that JL1628 was requesting information on traffic that we were not aware of. Mr. Rich returned from lunch and was assigned the Dl5 position and Mr. Henley was moved to the Rl5 position. I understood that Mr Aarnink had plugged into the Cl5 position only to observe. During the time following my being notified, I was involved in operational supervision and coordinatation between the controllers and the Area Manager. I intermittently monitored the radar but at no time observed any radar data that in my opinion, conclusively indicated traffic for the JL1628 flight. At 0254 UTC I informed the Area Manager that the pilot of JL1628 had lost visual contact with his traffic, \~?~Joseph Rollins ~ Area Supervisor Anchorage ARTCC
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