Project Blue Book Declassified

Overview

The Mantell Incident (1948). Air Force pilot pursues UFO and crashes. Early investigation by Project Blue Book.

Investigation

Captain Thomas F. Mantell, a Kentucky Air National Guard pilot, crashed and died while pursuing an unidentified flying object (UFO), becoming one of the most significant early cases investigated by Project Blue Book.

Why it matters

Remains a pivotal case in ufology, often cited as an example of official cover-up or misdirection. It underscored the need for more rigorous scientific investigation into UFO sightings.