Investigators believe the object that narrowly missed a Continental Express jet a week ago was a civilian-made rocket - described as a white cylinder about 5 to 7 feet long with triangular fins on its tail - rather than a military missile.
The description came from debriefing the jet's pilot and copilot who spotted a rocket with a long white vapor trail headed directly toward their cockpit at 16,000 feet shortly after they took off from George Bush Intercontinental Airport about 8 p.m. on May 29, authorities said. The flight was carrying 23 passengers to Greenville, S.C.


