United Airlines DC-10 Autopilot Disrupted by UAP over Boston
A United Airlines DC-10 captain with 30,000+ hours experienced an uncommanded turn and compass failure caused by a brilliant luminous object near Boston in 1977.
Background
Captain Neil Daniels, a United Airlines pilot with over 30,000 hours and an Air Force Distinguished Flying Cross, encountered a UAP while flying a DC-10 from San Francisco to Boston Logan. The object disrupted the autopilot via magnetic interference, causing an uncommanded turn.
Der Vorfall
Captain Neil Daniels flew a United DC-10 from San Francisco to Boston Logan on autopilot.
He, his copilot, and a flight engineer observed a brilliant light approximately 1,000 yards away off the wing tip.
The object followed at the same altitude for several minutes before departing at extreme speed.
Zeugenaussagen
- Witnesses: Captain Neil Daniels (30,000+ hours, Air Force Distinguished Flying Cross), copilot, flight engineer
- Observed: brilliant light ~1,000 yards off wing tip
Untersuchung
While on autopilot, the aircraft was forced into an uncommanded left turn due to the object's apparent magnetic interference.
Boston Center asked about the deviation as all three compasses gave different readings.
Analyse
Dr. Richard Haines analyzed the case.
He noted the magnetic sensor controlling the autopilot was the one nearest to the UAP.