Adelaide-Perth Pilot UFO Sighting
On 22 August 1968, two pilots flying a Piper Navajo from Adelaide to Perth at 8,000 feet reported a very large cigar-shaped object surrounded by five smaller objects that kept a constant angle to their flight path for over ten minutes. They said smaller objects moved to and from the large one; their radio failed until the objects left, and air traffic control reported no known traffic.
Background
On August 22, 1968, at approximately 5:40 p.m., two pilots flying a Piper Navajo single-engine airplane from Adelaide to Perth, Australia, at 8,000 feet altitude sighted a very large cigar-shaped object surrounded by five smaller objects.
The strange formation maintained a constant angle from their flight path for over ten minutes while they flew at 195 knots.
The Incident
The pilots observed the objects during their flight.
- Flight: Piper Navajo from Adelaide to Perth
- Altitude: 8,000 feet
- Speed: 195 knots
- Duration of sighting: over 10 minutes
Witness Accounts
One pilot reported: "The large one opened up in its center with smaller objects going to and from the larger object."
The objects flew away "as if by a single command.".
Investigation
Ground air traffic control confirmed there was no known air traffic in the area.
Their radio failed on all frequencies until the objects departed.