Alberta: RCAF DC-3 encounters black cloud and light
A Royal Canadian Air Force DC-3 en route from Victoria to Cold Lake encountered a large black cloud blocking its path southwest of Calgary. A brilliant light emerged from it on collision course before both vanished abruptly.
Background
Incident
On May 13, 1958 at 12:15, a Royal Canadian Air Force Dakota DC-3 was flying from Victoria, British Columbia to RCAF Station Cold Lake, Alberta. About 25 miles southwest of Calgary the aircraft changed course as a large, thick black cloud suddenly appeared at the same altitude ahead of its flight path.
Encounter
VHF communication with Cold Lake and Calgary broke off. The cloud had indistinct edges and grew as the aircraft closed at 155 mph. The pilot tried in vain to request a diversion; the cloud was now 10 miles away. Suddenly a bright white point of light appeared, which swelled into a radiant ball and raced toward them on a collision course.
Resolution
The pilot braced for impact, but the light went out and the cloud disappeared. Communication was restored. No injuries or damage were reported.
Witnesses and Sources
The pilot and crew as primary witnesses. Reported by Don Ledger in "Two Spherical UAP Cases Witnessed by Pilots in Canadian Airspace," IUR 33, no. 2 (July 2010): 7–9. The military character of the flight has been cited in support of the sighting.