Concussion from the blast broke windows, rocked buildings and terrified residents over a wide section of Kansas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma. ... The smoke trail started over Nebraska to the north and ran southward, twisting over upon itself in "jelly-rolls" like the vapor trail of a plane out of control... Many people believed that a jet airplane had exploded instead of a meteor. Scientists, army officers and other officials said that was impossible because of the extreme altitude of the explosion. Some people blamed the explosion on "flying saucers." Two Army B-29 bombers circled over the area until nightfall, but the army did not issue a statement Source
On the evening of 18 February 1948, an unusual light illuminated the skies over Norcatur, Kansas. An accompanying shockwave broke windows, and area residents initially thought an airplane had exploded in flight. Sign did not formally investigate, but consulted with scientist Lincon La Paz. The incident was probably an exceptionally bright bolide, said La Paz. But his explanation was provisional as no fragments were discovered and some eyewitnesses testimony was inconsistent with a meteor. Source