The Disappearance of Frederick Valentich

The story of Frederick Valentich is one of the most famous UFO encounters.

On the evening of October 21, 1978, a twenty year old Australian Pilot Frederick Valentich disappeared over Bass Strait, while flying from Melbourne's Moorabbin Airport to King Island.

His plane was a single engine Cessna 182. The plane had been refueled to capacity, enough for five hours' flying time.

At 18:19 hours local time after he had obtained a meteorological briefing, he took off in his Cessna 182 plane.

After the take-off Valentich established radio contact with Melbourne Flight Service.

At 19:00 hours local time Valentich radioed that he had Cape Otoway in sight. According to the weather station the weather in the Cape Otoway area was clear, excellent visibility, and light winds.

And then it happened.

Valentich radioed Melbourne Flight Service at 7:06 pm to report that an unidentified aircraft was following him at 4,500 feet (1,400 m).

He was told that there was no known traffic at that level. Valentich said that he could see a large unknown aircraft which appeared to be illuminated by four bright landing lights. He was unable to confirm its type, but said that it had passed about 1,000 feet (300 m) overhead and was moving at high speed. Valentich then reported that the aircraft was approaching him from the east and said that the other pilot might be purposely toying with him.

Valentich said that the aircraft was "orbiting" above him and that it had a shiny metal surface and a green light on it. Valentich further reported that he was experiencing engine problems. Asked to identify the aircraft, Valentich radioed: "It's not an aircraft."

His transmission was then interrupted by unidentified noise described as "metallic, scraping sounds" before all contact was lost.

A sea and air search was undertaken that included oceangoing ship traffic, an RAAF Lockheed P-3 Orion aircraft, plus eight civilian aircraft. The search encompassed over 1,000 square miles (2,600 km2). Search efforts ceased on 25 October 1978 without result.[5]

Messenger

❊ Address ❊

⊜ Moorabbin Airport Moorabbin 3189 View Map

❊ Web Links ❊

➼ en.wikipedia.org

➼ www.ufoarea.com

➼ www.wikipedia.org

❊ Also See... ❊

➼ Moorabbin Airport

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The story of Frederick Valentich is one of the most famous UFO encounters. On the evening of October 21, 1978, a twenty year old Australian Pilot Frederick Valentich disappeared over Bass Strait, while flying from Melbourne's Moorabbin Airport to King Island. His plane was a single engine Cessna 182. The plane had been refueled to capacity, enough for five hours' flying time. At 18:19 hours local time after he had obtained a meteorological briefing, he took off in his Cessna 182 plane. After the take-off Valentich established radio contact with Melbourne Flight Service. At 19:00 hours local time Valentich radioed that he had Cape Otoway in sight. According to the weather station the weather in the Cape Otoway area was clear, excellent visibility, and light winds. And then it happened. Valentich radioed Melbourne Flight Service at 7:06 pm to report that an unidentified aircraft was following him at 4,500 feet (1,400 m). He was told that there was no known traffic at that level. Valentich said that he could see a large unknown aircraft which appeared to be illuminated by four bright landing lights. He was unable to confirm its type, but said that it had passed about 1,000 feet (300 m) overhead and was moving at high speed. Valentich then reported that the aircraft was approaching him from the east and said that the other pilot might be purposely toying with him. Valentich said that the aircraft was "orbiting" above him and that it had a shiny metal surface and a green light on it. Valentich further reported that he was experiencing engine problems. Asked to identify the aircraft, Valentich radioed: "It's not an aircraft." His transmission was then interrupted by unidentified noise described as "metallic, scraping sounds" before all contact was lost. A sea and air search was undertaken that included oceangoing ship traffic, an RAAF Lockheed P-3 Orion aircraft, plus eight civilian aircraft. The search encompassed over 1,000 square miles (2,600 km2). Search efforts ceased on 25 October 1978 without result.[5]