The Gorman Dogfight
A National Guard pilot chased a small light around the night sky over Fargo for nearly half an hour.
What was reported
On the evening of 1 October 1948, Lieutenant George Gorman of the North Dakota Air National Guard was preparing to land his P-51 fighter at Fargo when he saw a small, blinking white light. Controllers in the tower saw it too.
For around 27 minutes Gorman chased it, and he said it turned, climbed and came head-on at him as if under intelligent control, before climbing out of sight.
Explanations offered
The Air Force's Project Sign concluded Gorman had chased a lighted weather balloon, with his own manoeuvres making it seem to move; the planet Jupiter was also suggested for part of the chase. Gorman stood by his account.
- When
- 1 October 1948
- Where
- Fargo, North Dakota, USA
- Witnesses
- Pilot George Gorman, air traffic controllers
- Status
- Probably a balloon
Famous cases are real, widely reported events. Each file sets out what witnesses said and the explanations that have been offered, without taking a side.