Incident · 10 September 1991 · Near RAF Cranwell, Lincolnshire, at 20,000 feet
RAF Cranwell: a Tucano instructor and student watch a 'possible missile' climb to 25,000 feet and explode
Also known as Cranwell possible missile 1991, Cranwell Tucano UFO, Cranwell missile sighting
On 10 September 1991 a qualified flying instructor and his student, flying a Tucano trainer from RAF Cranwell at 20,000 feet, both saw what they took for a missile shoot up from about five miles away to 25,000 feet, where it appeared to explode. The RAF's duty staff logged it as a possible missile sighting: the military air traffic organisation was to examine its radar tapes, and civil and RAF police opened enquiries.
The one page on the case in the Defence Intelligence files is that daily summary, copied to DI55 with a note that it had been discussed with the UFO desk. No result of the radar check or the police enquiries is on file.
Source: MoD file DEFE 31/180, p. 148 (The National Archives, opened March 2009)
Facts and claims
- documented Air Force Operations' summary of activity No 176, for the 24 hours ending 0001Z on 11 September 1991, records under “POSSIBLE MISSILE SIGHTING”: “A QFI pilot and his student, flying a general handling mission from Cranwell, were at 20000 feet when they both saw a ‘possible missile’ shoot up about 5 miles from their aircraft, a Tucano. The missile went up to 25000 feet and appeared to explode. HQMATO are examining radar tapes for clues as to what happened. Both civil police and RAF police are also carrying out investigations.” (DEFE 31/180, p. 148). Source: defe-31-180.pdf
- documented A handwritten note on DI55's copy reads “We have already discussed this with Sec(AS)”; the file holds no record of what the radar tapes or the police enquiries found. Source: defe-31-180.pdf
Connected files
Documents
- MoD file DEFE 31/180: Defence Intelligence (DI55) UFO papers, June 1991 – March 1992 (subject of) — Page 148: Air Force Operations' summary logging the Tucano crew's “possible missile”
Organizations
- Ministry of Defence (UK) (reported to) — Logged in Air Force Operations' daily summary of activity, copied to DI55
Mentioned in this file
- National Archives and Records Administration (Organization)
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