selected ufo cases
All Cases: Sorted by Oldest First
Sighting by zoologist and UFO researcher Ivan T. Sanderson
October, 2, 1958 - Near Blairstown, New Jersey, United States
Shortly after 5:00 p.m., noted Zoologist Ivan T. Sanderson observed a disc- shaped UFO maneuvering over the Delaware Water Gap. The flat disc looped back and forth, appearing sometimes edge-on (as a very thin line), sometimes oval to circular. It vanished once, but quickly reappeared, and continued its rapid gyrations, finally speeding away to the west. View full report
Source: NICAP / Richard Hall (1964) ID: 643
Case Type: SummaryReport Features: Scientist/Engineer, Witness Sketch
The Monon Railroad UFO Incident
October, 3, 1958 - Monon, Indiana, United States
A Monon railroad train crew reported seeing multiple UFOs in north central Indiana. The objects were 40 feet in diameter and about 10 feet thick, and followed the train for over an hour. View full report
Source: Frank Edwards / UFO Casebook ID: 26
Case Type: StandardCase Features: Multiple UFOs
Huge disk hovers over bridge in the Grand Beuch river valley, France, 1958
October, 28, 1958 - Pont-la-Dame, France
Jean Boyer was driving home on October 28, 1958. "I had reached the area of Pont-la-Dame and was ready to climb the stretch of road called "Cote des Egaux," when I saw in the sky, right above Pont-la-Dame, in the valley of the Grand Buech river, a motionless and luminous "disk." ...I believe it was about 200 to 400 meters above the ground. Suddenly, after two or three minutes, some sparks flew as the object rose vertically at a dizzying speed..." View full report
Source: Jacques & Janine Vallee, 1966 ID: 951
Case Type: StandardCase Features: Smell/Odor
Two patrolmen see glowing red UFO in New Jersey
December, 20, 1958 - Dunellen, New Jersey, United States
Patrolmen LeRoy A. Arboreen and B. Talada were on night patrol when they saw an object coming from the west. "At first it looked like a red hot piece of coal about the size of a quarter held at arm's length. In a matter of seconds it was as large as a ruler held at arm's length... The body of the object was solid bright red and it gave off a pulsating red glow... The object hovered a few seconds, then made a left turn and again hovered for a few seconds, then went straight up like a shot." View full report
Source: NICAP / Richard Hall (1964) from NICAP case report ID: 639
Case Type: StandardCase Features: Police, Witness Sketch
Enormous daytime UFO above Welsh town seen by only one witness
1959 - Milford Haven, United Kingdom
Mr. D. J. Harris, an area insurance agent, was walking down Charles Street in Milford Haven at about 11.00 a.m. when suddenly he heard a sort of whispering sound, and a metallic grey object appeared above the buildings. He describes it as enormous, about 150 feet in diameter. Given that there are usually so many people around the area, we are really forced to the conclusion that no-one saw this UFO except the witness and that, in fact, it was visible only to him. View full report
Source: F. W. Holiday, FSR Vol. 20 No. 2 ID: 598
Case Type: StandardCase Features: Witness Sketch
UFO descends, then speeds away, near Walworth, Wisconsin
January, 8, 1959 - Walworth, Wisconsin, United States
Gordon Higgins, a draftsman who has had two years USAF experience as control tower operator and flight controller, watched a UFO descend and then speed away horizontally. The object glowed bright white, before changing to orange as it sped away, leaving a trail of sparks. View full report
Source: NICAP / Richard Hall (1964) ID: 642
Case Type: SummaryReport Features: Witness Sketch
Airliners Paced by three UFOs (The Killian Case)
February, 23, 1959 - Williamsport, Pennsylvania, United States
The sighting of three glowing objects by several airline crews February 24, 1959 is one of the most thoroughly investigated (and, ironically, one of the most controversial) on record. The key witness, Capt. Peter W. Killian, was interviewed by NICAP personnel. A detailed investigation report, including weather data, air navigation maps, etc. , was submitted to NlCAP by the New York City Affiliate. The Akron UFO Research Committee co - operated in the investigation, adding valuable details. View full report
Source: Richard Hall, UFO Evidence, 1964 (NICAP) ID: 1105
Case Type: MajorCase Features: Pilot/Aircrew, Witness Photo
Father Gill / Papua New Guinea Sighting
June, 26, 1959 - Papua New Guinea
William B. Gill, an Anglican priest with a mission in Bosinai, Papas New Guinea, observed craft-like UFOs -- one with Humanoid figures on top -- on two consecutive evenings, June 26-27, 1959. About twenty-five natives, including teachers and medical technicians, also observed the phenomena. They "signaled" the humanoids and received an apparent response. This was one of sixty UFO sightings within a few weeks in the New Guinea area. View full report
Source: Bill Chalker, from 'The Oz Files' ID: 67
Case Type: MajorCase Features: Humanoid/Occupant, Interaction/Reaction, Clergy, Portholes/Windows, Group Sighting, Witness Sketch
Saucer-shaped object with dome and two occupants inside
July, 13, 1959 - Blenheim, New Zealand
Mrs. Moreland saw a sharply- outlined saucer-shaped object with two extremely bright sources of green light on the underside. The object was approximately 20 to 30 feet wide and hovered at roof-top level, about 15 feet above the ground. Inside a transparent dome, she said, there were two men, "dressed in fairly close-fitting suits of shiny material." View full report
Source: NICAP (National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomenon), ID: 559
Case Type: StandardCase Features: Humanoid/Occupant, 'Dyad Scout Craft', Humming, Witness Sketch
Cigar-shaped object hovers near witness in Victoria, BC
1960 - Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
The witness, Miss M. I. Footner of Victoria, was walking her dog, when she saw a bright dot of light just over Little Saanich Mountain. The light grew larger and larger, until suddenly the object was "above me and became stationary." The object was cigar-shaped and about 100 feet in length. Later she learned that a friend who lived nearby, Miss Audrey Winderburn, had seen a craft of similar appearance while outside attending to her horse. View full report
Source: Canadian UFO Report, Summer 1970 (credit: UFO*BC) ID: 807
Case Type: StandardCase Features: Body Lights, Silent
The Cordoba/Yacanto Argentina Photograph
1960 - Cordoba, Argentina
This sighting is one of the best recorded in Argentina. The witness is a high-ranking officer of the Argentinean Air Force (AAF), who by a fluke was able to obtain a remarkable photograph as supporting evidence of his encounter. Captain Niotti was driving from Yacanto toward Cordoba. He suddenly noticed a rather close and unusual object hovering near the ground and proceeded to take a photo of the object. View full report
Source: Dr. Willy Smith ID: 873
Case Type: StandardCase Features: Photo, Animal Reaction, Vehicle Encounter
Two 'Michelin man' beings seen by teacher in Cádiz province, Spain
May, 1960 - Jerez de la Frontera, Cadiz, Spain
Don Miguel Timermans Ceballos, a teacher, was on a motorcycle when he discerned a strange human-like being about 150 meters away. "He was completely red, from head to foot... rather tall, something like two meters (6'-7") or more, having trouble walking, and his walking was like a ... robot, with stiff arms." A second similar but shorter being was seen. They were the classic shape of the "Michelin man," which had been reported in UFO landing cases in different parts of the world. View full report
Source: Miguel Peyro Garcia, APRO, July 1980 ID: 691
Case Type: StandardCase Features: Humanoid/Occupant
Elliptical UFO with portholes observed by architect
May, 4, 1960 - Sarasota, Florida, United States
A yellow, elliptical object with four evenly spaced windowlike openings was observed at ground level by an architect. View full report
Source: NICAP / Richard Hall, 1964 (from NICAP UFO Investigator, May 1960) ID: 649
Case Type: SummaryReport Features: Portholes/Windows
Red Bluff Incident
August, 13, 1960 - Red Bluff, California, United States
California Highway Patrol Officers Charles A. Carson and Stanley Scott were on patrol when they sighted what they thought was an airliner about to crash. When the UFO had descended to about 100 or 200 feet altitude it suddenly reversed direction and climbed to 500 ft. Description: round or oblong surrounded by a glow (color not mentioned) and having definite red lights at each end. They continued to watch the UFO as it performed "unbelievable" aerial feats. (NICAP, 1964) View full report
Source: Loy Lawhon, About.com ID: 107
Case Type: MajorCase Features: E-M Effects, Radar, Police
The Cressy Cigar (Cigar-shaped object w/ satellite objects witnessed by Anglican minister and wife)
October, 4, 1960 - Cressy, Tasmania, Australia
The Cressy sighting remains as one of Tasmania's best known UFO sightings. The cigar shaped 'mothership' and attendant discs were witnessed by the local Church of England minister, the Reverend Lionel Browning and his wife. The case was investigated by the Royal Australian Air Force, details were taken by the Victorian UFO Society, whilst Prof: James E McDonald interviewed Rev Browning in 1967. View full report
Source: Keith Roberts, TUFOIC (Tasmanian UFO Investigation Center) ID: 897
Case Type: StandardCase Features: Clergy, Multiple UFOs
Eagle River Close Encounter (man given 'pancakes' by UFO occupants)
April, 18, 1961 - Eagle River, Wisconsin, United States
Mr. Paul Simonton, a chicken farmer in Eagle River, Wisconsin saw a disc-shaped craft land vertically on his farm. A hatch opened, and when he approached he saw three human-looking men inside. They asked him for some water. They appeared to be cooking pancakes on a griddle, and in exchange for the water they gave him four of the pancakes from griddle. The episode survived a rigorous assessment by the U.S. Air Force and is carried in their files as "unexplained." View full report
Source: Jay Rath ID: 708
Case Type: StandardCase Features: Humanoid/Occupant, Landing, Artifact, Witness Photo, Witness Sketch, Communication
