What JAL Flight 1628 Crew Observed Over Alaska

Introduction

The visual reports from the crew of Japan Air Lines Cargo Flight 1628 are the part of the Alaska incident that has kept the case alive for decades. On 17 November 1986, Captain Kenju Terauchi and his two crew members described seeing unusual lights and apparent craft pacing their Boeing 747 cargo aircraft over eastern Alaska during a flight into Anchorage. What made the reports unusual was not a brief flash or distant light, but the crew’s claim of a prolonged encounter involving manoeuvring objects, changing formations, apparent proximity to the aircraft, and intermittent onboard radar indications.

At the same time, the witness accounts were never fully consistent. Captain Terauchi gave the most dramatic descriptions, while the first officer and flight engineer generally offered more restrained testimony. Later sceptical reviews argued that bright planets, cockpit perception effects, stress, and misinterpretation could explain much of what was seen. The result is a case that remains unresolved in UFO history not because the observations were universally accepted, but because experienced aviation personnel described something they believed was genuinely unusual over Alaska’s remote night skies. [Wikipedia]WikipediaJapan Air Lines Cargo Flight 1628Japan Air Lines Cargo Flight 1628 [UPI]upi.comRadar review fails to confirm UFOUPIRadar review fails to confirm UFO - UPI Archives8 Jan 1987 — The FAA reopened its inquiry of the incident with a second interview of t…

What the Crew Said They Saw

Flight 1628 was a Boeing 747-200F travelling from Paris to Tokyo with a scheduled stop in Anchorage. The aircraft entered Alaskan airspace after sunset at roughly 35,000 feet. Captain Terauchi later said the encounter began near Fort Yukon when he noticed two bright lights to the left of the aircraft. Initially, he reportedly assumed they were military aircraft. [Wikipedia]WikipediaIncident de DenaliIncident de Denali

According to cockpit transcripts and later interviews, the lights soon appeared to move unusually close to the aircraft. Terauchi claimed they maintained formation with the 747 and reacted to his manoeuvres. The crew described amber, white, and yellow lights, with occasional green tones, flashing in patterns that did not resemble ordinary navigation lighting. [UPI]upi.comUPI31 Dec 1986 — Terauchi spoke to United Press International Tuesday, describing the UFO incident on the evening of Nov. 17 that was rev…

One feature repeatedly mentioned by the captain was the apparent intensity of the light. In some retellings, he said the glow illuminated parts of the cockpit and created concern that the objects were dangerously close. The encounter reportedly continued for much longer than a typical pilot misidentification case, with estimates ranging from around 30 minutes to nearly an hour depending on which phase of the incident is counted. [Wikipedia]WikipediaJapan Air Lines Cargo Flight 1628Japan Air Lines Cargo Flight 1628

The crew also said the objects seemed to change relative position repeatedly:

• At times the lights appeared ahead of the aircraft.
• At other moments they were said to move alongside the cockpit.
• During turns authorised by Anchorage air traffic control, the crew believed the objects adjusted course with them.
• Later in the encounter, Terauchi described seeing a much larger dark object behind or near the aircraft. [The Black Vault Documents]documents.theblackvault.comThe Black Vault DocumentsJAL Flight 1628Captain Terauchi stated the UAT maintained its position on the port side during the turn. Captain… [The Washington Post]washingtonpost.comUFO SIGHTING CONFIRMED BY FAA, AIR FORCE RADAR1 Jan 1987 — A veteran pilot whose UFO sighting was confirmed on radar screens Tuesday said…

These claims became central to the wider Alaska UFO discussion because they came from commercial aviation personnel rather than casual ground observers.

Captain Terauchi’s “Mothership” Description

The most famous and controversial part of the sighting came from Captain Terauchi’s description of a huge craft accompanying the smaller lights. In media interviews and written statements, he referred to “two small ships and the mothership”. [Wikipedia]WikipediaIncident de DenaliIncident de Denali

Terauchi said he briefly perceived a massive dark structure silhouetted against the night sky. In one interview, he estimated that it appeared “two times bigger than an aircraft carrier”. [UPI]upi.comJAL pilot describes UFOUPIJAL pilot describes UFO - UPI Archives31 Dec 1986 — FAA officials Monday confirmed the controller who handled Flight 1628 saw a myster…

His later written statement, circulated through FAA files and later released publicly, included sketches and descriptions suggesting a large walnut-shaped or circular object. He claimed the larger object remained difficult to see directly because its outline blended into the darkness except when illuminated indirectly. [The Black Vault Documents]documents.theblackvault.comThe Black Vault DocumentsJAL Flight 1628Captain Terauchi stated the UAT maintained its position on the port side during the turn. Captain…

This “mothership” account became one of the defining images of the JAL 1628 story, but it also became a major source of scepticism. Critics argued that the description changed over time and became more elaborate in later retellings. Some investigators noted that the more extraordinary details appeared primarily in Terauchi’s own statements rather than in the supporting testimony from the rest of the crew. [The Debrief]thedebrief.orgwhat really happened to japan airlines flight 1628 in 1986The DebriefWhat Really Happened to Japan Airlines Flight 1628 in…7 June 2021 — The three-person crew was led by pilot Kenju Terauchi…Published: June 2021

How Much Did the Other Crew Members Confirm?

One of the key disputes in the case is how strongly the first officer and flight engineer supported the captain’s account.

Contemporary reporting from late 1986 and early 1987 suggested all three crew members described strange lights near the aircraft. FAA spokesman Paul Steucke said the co-pilot’s testimony supported the pilot’s description of blinking lights seen close to the aircraft. [UPI]upi.comController confirms UFO sightingUPI Archives30 Dec 1986 — An air controller said radar showed a mysterious object following a Japan Air Lines cargo flight at the time th…

However, later reviews of FAA interview material revealed important differences in emphasis:

• Captain Terauchi consistently described structured craft and a giant object.
• First Officer Takanori Tamefuji appears to have been more cautious, mainly confirming lights rather than clearly defined craft.
• Flight Engineer Yoshio Tsukuda reportedly supported the existence of unusual lights but offered less dramatic interpretations. [American Ghost Walks]americanghostwalks.comhaunted alaskan skies 1986 s japan airlines flight 1628 ufo encounterHaunted Alaskan Skies: 1986's JAL1628 UFO Encounter25 May 2025 — There have been many allegations that the testimony of the crew of 1628…Published: May 2025

Sceptical investigators later argued that the strongest UFO claims effectively rested on Terauchi alone. Philip J. Klass and other critics highlighted inconsistencies between the crew interviews and later public narratives. [Skeptical Inquirer]skepticalinquirer.orgTerauchi's Marvelous 'Spaceship'On January 1, 1987, that paper reported, “A veteran pilot whose UFO sighting was confirmed on radar scree…Published: January 1, 1987

That distinction matters because pilot UFO cases are often judged partly on corroboration. A fully unified cockpit account tends to carry more weight than one dominated by a single witness.

The Onboard Radar Reports

The visual sighting gained extra attention because the crew said they also detected objects on the aircraft’s weather radar. According to reports and FAA material, Terauchi informed Anchorage controllers that targets appeared intermittently on the aircraft’s radar scope near the unidentified lights. [Wikipedia]WikipediaIncident de DenaliIncident de Denali

To UFO researchers, this seemed important because it suggested the objects might not have been purely visual illusions or astronomical bodies. If something appeared both visually and electronically, the case looked stronger than an ordinary misidentification.

Yet the onboard radar evidence was never considered conclusive. Aircraft weather radar is not designed primarily for tracking solid airborne targets. It can produce misleading returns from atmospheric conditions, reflections, and electronic artefacts. Later FAA reviews concluded there was no reliable confirmation that the aircraft radar had tracked a separate structured object. [UPI]upi.comRadar review fails to confirm UFOUPIRadar review fails to confirm UFO - UPI Archives8 Jan 1987 — The FAA reopened its inquiry of the incident with a second interview of t…

Still, the crew themselves believed the radar supported what they were seeing. In the moment, that likely reinforced the captain’s conviction that the encounter involved physical craft rather than distant lights or planets.

The Manoeuvres That Convinced the Crew

One reason the sighting impressed some investigators was the crew’s belief that the objects reacted intelligently to the aircraft’s movements.

After contacting Anchorage air traffic control, Terauchi requested permission to take evasive action. Controllers authorised altitude changes and a 360-degree turn. According to the captain, the lights maintained relative position during the manoeuvres. [Los Angeles Times]latimes.comLos Angeles TimesPlane Maneuvered to Avoid Object: Pilot Recounts…1 Jan 1987 — Terauchi, his co-pilot and flight engineer all told Fe…

This detail became important in UFO discussions because pilots are trained observers accustomed to judging relative movement. Terauchi argued that the objects could not have been stationary celestial bodies if they remained aligned during course changes.

Sceptics countered that night flying over featureless terrain can create powerful visual ambiguities. Bright planets near the horizon can appear to “follow” aircraft, especially when pilots focus on them for extended periods. Small heading changes and cockpit reflections can also create the impression of coordinated movement. [Wikipedia]WikipediaIncident de DenaliIncident de Denali

The disagreement over the manoeuvres remains central to interpretations of the case:

• Supporters see reactive movement as evidence of controlled craft.
• Critics see it as a classic feature of astronomical misperception during night flight.

The Jupiter and Mars Explanation

The best-known sceptical explanation involves the planets Jupiter and Mars. Investigators including aviation writer Philip J. Klass argued that both planets were bright and positioned in the area of sky where Terauchi reported seeing lights. [Wikipedia]WikipediaIncident de DenaliIncident de Denali

According to this interpretation:

Critics of the planetary explanation argue that it does not fully account for the crew’s claims of nearby movement, apparent pacing, and radar contacts. Supporters of the explanation respond that the most extraordinary claims largely came from Terauchi and evolved after the event. [The Debrief]thedebrief.orgwhat really happened to japan airlines flight 1628 in 1986The DebriefWhat Really Happened to Japan Airlines Flight 1628 in…7 June 2021 — The three-person crew was led by pilot Kenju Terauchi…Published: June 2021

The debate illustrates why JAL 1628 remains difficult to categorise cleanly. The case contains credible witnesses and detailed testimony, but also strong reasons for caution.

Why the Pilot Testimony Still Matters in Alaska UFO History

Even critics generally agree that the Flight 1628 crew sincerely believed they had encountered something unusual. FAA investigators who interviewed the crew shortly after landing reportedly found them professional and sober, with no evidence of intoxication or misconduct. [Wikipedia]WikipediaIncident de DenaliIncident de Denali

The incident also unfolded in a part of Alaska associated with vast distances, sparse traffic, military operations, and difficult visual conditions. Alaska’s aviation environment has produced numerous reports involving strange lights, radar anomalies, and uncertain aerial observations, making the state a recurring setting in American UFO history.

What keeps the JAL 1628 case notable is not that it proves extraterrestrial visitation, but that it demonstrates how difficult some aviation sightings can be to interpret even after official investigation. The pilot testimony sits at the centre of that uncertainty:

That combination has allowed the case to survive both as a classic UFO report and as a cautionary example of how perception, expectation, and aviation technology can interact in unusual circumstances over Alaska’s skies.

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Endnotes

1. Source: Wikipedia
   Title: Japan Air Lines Cargo Flight 1628
   Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan_Air_Lines_Cargo_Flight_1628

2. Source: upi.com
   Title: Radar review fails to confirm UFO
   Link: https://www.upi.com/Archives/1987/01/08/Radar-review-fails-to-confirm-UFO/8875537080400/
   Source snippet

   UPIRadar review fails to confirm UFO - UPI Archives8 Jan 1987 — The FAA reopened its inquiry of the incident with a second interview of t...

3. Source: Wikipedia
   Title: Incident de Denali
   Link: https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incident_de_Denali

4. Source: upi.com
   Link: https://www.upi.com/Archives/1986/12/31/A-veteran-pilot-whose-UFO-sighting-was-confirmed-on/2755536389200/
   Source snippet

   UPI31 Dec 1986 — Terauchi spoke to United Press International Tuesday, describing the UFO incident on the evening of Nov. 17 that was rev...

5. Source: upi.com
   Title: JAL pilot describes UFO
   Link: https://www.upi.com/Archives/1986/12/31/JAL-pilot-describes-UFO/6559536389200/
   Source snippet

   UPIJAL pilot describes UFO - UPI Archives31 Dec 1986 — FAA officials Monday confirmed the controller who handled Flight 1628 saw a myster...

6. Source: upi.com
   Title: Controller confirms UFO sighting
   Link: https://www.upi.com/Archives/1986/12/30/Controller-confirms-UFO-sighting/4431536302800/
   Source snippet

   UPI Archives30 Dec 1986 — An air controller said radar showed a mysterious object following a Japan Air Lines cargo flight at the time th...

7. Source: youtube.com
   Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4wK6LTERss
   Source snippet

   Japan Air Lines Cargo Flight 1628 - UFO Incident Animation...

8. Source: youtube.com
   Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gk1WLeuEKJg

9. Source: thedebrief.org
   Title: what really happened to japan airlines flight 1628 in 1986
   Link: https://thedebrief.org/what-really-happened-to-japan-airlines-flight-1628-in-1986/
   Source snippet

   The DebriefWhat Really Happened to Japan Airlines Flight 1628 in...7 June 2021 — The three-person crew was led by pilot Kenju Terauchi...

   Published: June 2021

10. Source: latimes.com
    Link: https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-01-01-mn-1922-story.html
    Source snippet

    Los Angeles TimesPlane Maneuvered to Avoid Object: Pilot Recounts...1 Jan 1987 — Terauchi, his co-pilot and flight engineer all told Fe...

11. Source: washingtonpost.com
    Link: https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1987/01/02/ufo-sighting-confirmed-by-faa-air-force-radar/c186c4b7-54ed-459e-b94d-eeeff7b3322e/
    Source snippet

    UFO SIGHTING CONFIRMED BY FAA, AIR FORCE RADAR1 Jan 1987 — A veteran pilot whose UFO sighting was confirmed on radar screens Tuesday said...

12. Source: documents.theblackvault.com
    Link: https://documents.theblackvault.com/documents/ufos/jal1628/733667-001-005.pdf
    Source snippet

    The Black Vault DocumentsJAL Flight 1628Captain Terauchi stated the UAT maintained its position on the port side during the turn. Captain...

13. Source: documents.theblackvault.com
    Link: https://documents.theblackvault.com/documents/ufos/jal1628/733667-001-007.pdf
    Source snippet

    The Black Vault DocumentsMeeting the Future by Kenju Terauchi[Personal statement concerning JAL Flight 1628 sighting of unidentified air...

14. Source: skepticalinquirer.org
    Link: https://skepticalinquirer.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2014/11/p19.pdf
    Source snippet

    Terauchi's Marvelous 'Spaceship'On January 1, 1987, that paper reported, “A veteran pilot whose UFO sighting was confirmed on radar scree...

    Published: January 1, 1987

15. Source: americanghostwalks.com
    Title: haunted alaskan skies 1986 s japan airlines flight 1628 ufo encounter
    Link: https://www.americanghostwalks.com/haunted-alaskan-skies-1986-s-japan-airlines-flight-1628-ufo-encounter
    Source snippet

    Haunted Alaskan Skies: 1986's JAL1628 UFO Encounter25 May 2025 — There have been many allegations that the testimony of the crew of 1628...

    Published: May 2025

16. Source: scribd.com
    Title: JAL flight1628
    Link: https://www.scribd.com/document/94376509/JAL-flight1628
    Source snippet

    17 UFO sighting was reported by JAL Captain Kenjyu Terauchi on a cargo flight over the polar cap from Iceland to Japan via Anchorage. Cap...

17. Source: documents.theblackvault.com
    Link: https://documents.theblackvault.com/documents/ufos/jal1628/733667-001-024.pdf
    Source snippet

    Black Vault Documents23 Feb 1987 — 17 UFO sighting was reported by JAL Captain Kenjyu Terauchi on a cargo flight over the polar cap from...

Additional References

1. Source: reddit.com
   Title: black vault uncovers archives missing faa records
   Link: https://www.reddit.com/r/UFOs/comments/1d2rmv7/black_vault_uncovers_archives_missing_faa_records/
   Source snippet

   Black Vault uncovers, archives missing FAA records of...TIL Japan Airlines Flight 1628 over Alaska had a 42 minute long UFO encounter Su...

2. Source: reddit.com
   Title: the ufo encounter so disturbing the cia buried it
   Link: https://www.reddit.com/r/UFOs/comments/1kgy7o7/the_ufo_encounter_so_disturbing_the_cia_buried_it/
   Source snippet

   The UFO Encounter So Disturbing, the CIA Buried It for 30...Over Alaska in November 1986, Captain Kenju Terauchi and the crew of Japan A...

   Published: November 1986

3. Source: facebook.com
   Link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/supernaturalandparanormaluniversity/posts/1427116154087659/
   Source snippet

   FAA documents on UFO encounter with Jal1628 foundThe plane's own radar lit up with anomalies. FAA tapes, voice recordings, and flight dat...

4. Source: reddit.com
   Link: https://www.reddit.com/r/HighStrangeness/comments/nvegb3/captain_kenju_terauchi_shows_his_diagram_of_the/
   Source snippet

   uring the 1628 Japanese Airlines incident.Read more...

5. Source: journalnews.com.ph
   Link: https://journalnews.com.ph/unfriendly-skies-the-extraordinary-flight-of-jal-1628-alaskas-best-known-ufo-encounter/
   Source snippet

   Unfriendly skies: The extraordinary flight of JAL 1628...Apr 9, 2023 — Terauchi reported, “When the United plane came by our side, the...

6. Source: instagram.com
   Title: 29 years of flying experience
   Link: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DRIZ0RXk96d/
   Source snippet

   On this day in 1986, the flight crew of Japan Airlines Flight...Captain Kenju Terauchi was flying flight 1628 from Paris to Tokyo when h...

7. Source: strangeco.blogspot.com
   Title: flight 1628s close encounter
   Link: https://strangeco.blogspot.com/2019/07/flight-1628s-close-encounter.html
   Source snippet

   Kenju Terauchi flew across the Canada/Alaska border and headed for Fort Yukon, where the plane found itself being buzzed by a UFO. Then t...

8. Source: open.spotify.com
   Title: 6XWCFJBL7Dex Tu3Hm3CTJb
   Link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6XWCFJBL7DexTu3Hm3CTJb
   Source snippet

   Japan Airlines Flight 1628 UFO Encounter6 Nov 2025 — The lights didn't behave like normal aircraft. They mirrored the plane's speed and d...

9. Source: youtube.com
   Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KARd-HTssbg
   Source snippet

   Pilots Report Terrifying UFO Sighting Mid-Flight | Close Encounters 104...

10. Source: podcasts.apple.com
    Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/jal-flight-1628-ufo-sighting-pilot-witness-paranormal-case/id1571182283?i=1000551576261
    Source snippet

    Flight 1628 UFO SightingThe crew reported intense light, unusual movement, and even the sensation of heat emanating from the mysterious o...