selected ufo cases
Cases with Images or Photographs
Strange-looking object hovers over neighborhood homes
June, 2, 1964 - Sunnyvale, California, United States
While driving toward her home on McKinley Avenue at 10:30 p.m. (PST) on June 2, Mrs. Bruce A. Holmes, of Sunnyvale, California, saw a strange-looking object about a city block's distance from her. The UFO hovered motionless over neighborhood homes at an altitude estimated to be no more than 150 feet and appeared to be about as large as "an 18 by 24-foot living room." The main body of the object was similar to a blimp, somewhat cigar-shaped, but fatter - possibly the shape of a disc thickened at the center. View full report
Source: NICAP (National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomenon), ID: 549
Case Type: StandardCase
Cumberland Spaceman / Solway Firth Photograph
May, 23, 1964 - Burgh Marsh / Solway Firth, United Kingdom
"As an amateur photographer on a day-trip with my family, I took the photograph on Burgh Marsh on May 23, 1964. I took three pictures of my daughter Elizabeth in a similar pose - and was shocked when the middle picture came back from Kodak displaying what looks like a spaceman in the background." View full report
Source: Daily Mail, London / England - December 13, 2002 ID: 385
Case Type: MajorCase Features: Alien Photograph, Humanoid/Occupant, Witness Photo
Landed UFO frightens boy and cow; depressions left in field
May, 19, 1964 - Hubbard, Oregon, United States
Young Michael J. Bizon had gone outside his home in Hubbard, Oregon, to let the cow out of her stall. The cow seemed very nervous, and "was bucking all the way." Then he saw a square object about four feet high. The silver-colored UFO was sitting in the middle of a wheat field. It had four shiny legs. The object rose, slowly at first, and then "shot up just like a rocket." A flattened area with three spots was found in the wheat field. View full report
Source: NICAP (National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomenon), 'Strange Effects from UFOs', by Donald Keyhoe and Gordon Lore ID: 579
Case Type: StandardCase Features: Physical Trace, Animal Reaction, Landing
UFO lands and leaves crater-like depression with holes
May, 5, 1964 - Barnesville, Minnesota, United States
Early on the morning of May 5, 1964, farmer Alfred Ernst, of Barnesville, Minnesota, drove his truck up to his grain drill, when at 8:00 AM he saw a 3 to 4 foot long UFO on the ground. "It was a glowing oval object approximately 1,500 feet away." Afterwards, the farmer and his brother returned to the landing site. There they discovered a crater-like depression about three feet in diameter. View full report
Source: NICAP (National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomenon), 'Strange Effects from UFOs', by Donald Keyhoe and Gordon Lore ID: 573
Case Type: StandardCase Features: Physical Trace, Landing
Socorro / Zamora UFO Incident
April, 24, 1964 - Socorro, New Mexico, United States
The experience of Lonnie Zamora on April 24, 1964 stands as one of the most profound ufo events in the modern history of the phenomena. Lonnie Zamora saw a highly unusual device of unknown origin, what can only be described as a "craft" of some kind, and he reported seeing what he believes were occupants. View full report
Source: Chris Lambright ID: 90
Case Type: MajorCase Features: Humanoid/Occupant, Physical Trace, Landing, Police, Witness Photo, Witness Sketch
Large, metallic saucer-shaped craft at Mattagami River, Ontario
November, 23, 1963 - Mattagami River, Ontario, Canada
From the witness: "We just sat there in silence watching it, as it was watching us... It was huge, with the diameter being... about 30 yards... It appeared to be constructed of dull aluminum and was shaped like a saucer with the exception that the top and bottom halves did not join in a sharp edge. All the way around the center it looked like dark windows, 6 feet tall. As Robert and I watched, the craft tilted with the closest side to us down and the rear of the saucer up. It appeared that whoever was inside was trying to get a better look at us. " View full report
Source: Brian Vike, HBCC UFO Research (hbccufo.org) ID: 1029
Case Type: RawReport Features: Witness Sketch, Portholes/Windows
Disc-shaped UFO, larger than full moon, seen by police officers and others
September, 26, 1963 - Sunnyvale, California, United States
During the early morning of September 26, 1963, a UFO was sighted by people in scattered locations around the San Francisco Bay area. Officer Galen Anderson of Sunnvale Police Dept. observed the UFO for 45 seconds and submitted a particularly detailed report. This object appeared larger than a full moon, according to Officer Anderson, about basketball size at about 8 feet away. View full report
Source: NICAP / Richard Hall, 1964 (reported in San Jose Mercury News and SF Chronicle) ID: 645
Case Type: StandardCase Features: Police, Group Sighting
Paul Villa Photo and Contact Case
June, 16, 1963 - Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
Apolinar (Paul) Villa, a mechanic of Albuquerque, New Mexico, had a unique privilege having prearranged meetings with Space People for the specific purpose of taking pictures of their craft. They told him they came from the galaxy of Coma Berenices, many light years distance. View full report
Source: Gabriel Green, UFO International, 1965 ID: 985
Case Type: StandardCase Features: Contact, Contactee, Photo, Witness Photo
Oval object rolling end over end
April, 1963 - Statesville, North Carolina, United States
"I recall looking up.. to see a strange oval shaped object rolling end over end passing directly overhead. I recall the object giving off different colors in a pulsing, vibratory sort of way... I would estimate it's altitude to be less than 300 feet off the ground... I do not recall hearing any sound whatever from the object but my brother and sister say it was somewhat like a humming sound." View full report
Source: UFOEvidence.org ID: 473
Case Type: RawReport Features: Witness Sketch, Humming
The Willow Grove Close Encounter
February, 15, 1963 - Near Moe, Australia
Charles Brew, with his 20 year-old son Trevor, was at work in the milking shed on their farm, 'Willow Grove', when he saw a strange object appear and descend very slowly towards the milk shed, to a height of about 30 metres. The object was metallic grey, measured 8 meters in diameter, and had a transparent dome with a 2-meter mast or aerial. After hovering for a few seconds the object began climbed away into the clouds. View full report
Source: Bill Chalker (1996) ID: 623
Case Type: StandardCase Features: Animal Reaction, Witness Sketch, Physiological Effects
Disc landing in reservoir, part of series of sightings in New Jersey
September, 15, 1962 - Oradell, New Jersey, United States
A series of New Jersey police sightings after a reported disc landing in a reservoir. The action began on September 15, when two shiny discs were seen by multiple independent witnesses. On September 21, four Hawthorne police officers watched a device with two beams like headlights. Just after midnight, September 24, the same or a similar device was seen over the quarry by over a dozen Hawthorne police officers and the chief reporter of the N. J. State Press, George Della Penta. View full report
Source: Waterufo.net / NICAP UFO Investigator, Oct/Nov 1962 ID: 796
Case Type: StandardCase Features: Police, Water-Related, Multiple UFOs
UFO with three beings hovers over boat dock at Minnesota cabin (Lake Movil)
August, 1962 - Lake Movil, Minnesota, United States
Marilyn Chenarides and Mrs. Mildred Anderson were vacationing at their cabin on Lake Movil in northern Minnesota when they saw a red glowing object which was hovering over the boat dock 50 feet from the cabin. In two of the windows of the object, the women could see the silhouettes of three man-shaped beings. After a few minutes of observation, Mrs. Anderson switched off the lights in the cabin, whereupon the lights on the object immediately went out. View full report
Source: APRO Bulletin, Vol. 21 No. 2 (Sept./Oct. 1972) ID: 458
Case Type: StandardCase Features: Humanoid/Occupant, Interaction/Reaction, Portholes/Windows
Florentine tailor taken aboard UFO and given message
April, 10, 1962 - San Casciano, Italy
Florentine tailor Mario Zuccala, who was walking home through a wood, watched as an object like an inverted bowl passed overhead and came close to the ground. From its underside came a cylinder, which opened up, and two beings emerged. They took hold of the witness gently under his armpits and led him into the empty interior of the object. The only part Zuccala could remember was a message that they would return to give him a message for humanity. View full report
Source: Peter Rogerson, Magonia 50, September 1994 ID: 757
Case Type: StandardCase Features: Humanoid/Occupant, Contact
Cigar-shaped UFO with portholes seen by Honeywell metallurgist
November, 22, 1961 - Near Grafton, Nebraska, United States
A Minneapolis Honeywell metallurgist, Melvin C. Vagle, Jr., and his wife saw a cigar-shaped UFO while driving along U.S. Highway 81. "At the lower end. . . there was a bright 'flashing white light ann at the upper end there was a steady red light. Along the length of the fuselage there was a row of square-appearing ports, illuminated with a white yellowish light." View full report
Source: NICAP / Richard Hall, 1964 (original case in "The Honeywell World," Jan. 1962) ID: 644
Case Type: StandardCase Features: Scientist/Engineer, Portholes/Windows
Disc-shaped UFO hovers, then evades pursuit by pilot
October, 2, 1961 - Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
A grayish disc-shaped object which hovered, wobbling on its axis, then evaded pursuit, was sighted October 2, 1961 at Salt Lake City, Utah airport. Private pilot Waldo J. Harris, a real estate broker, investigated the object in his light aircraft as 8-10 ground personnel at the airport watched. The object was disc shaped, 50 feet in diameter, and 8-10 feet thick. View full report
Source: NICAP / Richard Hall (1964) from NICAP case report ID: 638
Case Type: StandardCase Features: Witness Sketch, Pilot/Aircrew, Group Sighting
Betty and Barney Hill Abduction Case
September, 19, 1961 - Exeter, New Hampshire, United States
The first abduction case to be brought to the publics attention was back in 1961. Betty and Barney Hill reported seeing a UFO and experienced a period of missing time while on a long car journey. Under hypnosis they both seperatly described how they were abducted by aliens and shown around the spacecraft before under going medical examinations. Betty also spoke of the origin of the aliens which were of the zeta reticuli system but at that time it wasn't discovered until 1969. View full report
Source: Loy Lawhon, About.com ID: 315
Case Type: MajorCase Features: Abduction, Polygraph Test, Witness Photo, Witness Sketch, Portholes/Windows, Missing Time
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
