New Mexico: Pilot Goldsberry's compass disruption
Pilot Jack H. Goldsberry encountered three small gray elliptical objects circling his Cessna 170 at 8,000 feet, causing both compasses to malfunction. He was ordered to land at Kirtland AFB for interrogation.
Background
Witness and Circumstances
Jack H. Goldsberry, a former Navy pilot, was flying a Cessna 170 from Hobbs to Albuquerque, New Mexico at 8,000 feet. On August 13, 1959 at 16:00, between Roswell and Corona, his instruments suddenly failed.
Sighting and Effects
His Magnesyn compass rotated slowly through 360° in 4–5 seconds, while the magnetic compass spun wildly. At the same moment three small, grey, indistinct elliptical objects appeared in tight formation. They overtook him from left to right at a distance of 450–600 feet at about 200 mph and circled the aircraft once. The Magnesyn compass followed their movement until they disappeared astern and the instruments returned to normal.
Aftermath
Albuquerque control cancelled his flight plan and directed him to land at Kirtland AFB. There a USAF major questioned him and warned of possible effects on his health. (Sources: NICAP, Sparks, UFO Investigator, Schopick, Swords, Clark)
Significance
The case shows electromagnetic interference from UAP at close range affecting a civilian pilot, with military follow-up. The pilot's experience has been cited as giving it high credibility.