Kenji Terauchi

Kenji Terauchi was a veteran Japan Air Lines pilot who reported a dramatic encounter with a massive unidentified object while flying JAL cargo Flight 1628 over Alaska on November 17, 1986. He observed the phenomenon together with his co-pilot and flight engineer.

Terauchi and his crew witnessed lights and a walnut-shaped craft estimated to be the size of two aircraft carriers. The object was confirmed on both civilian and military radar. The Federal Aviation Administration conducted a thorough investigation under Division Chief John Callahan, and the case was briefed to CIA officials.

Terauchi was temporarily grounded after speaking publicly about the encounter, though he was later reinstated. The JAL 1628 incident remains one of the best-documented pilot UAP encounters.