Portuguese Air Force Pilot Circled by Metallic Disc near Ota Air Base
Three Portuguese Air Force pilots witnessed a metallic disc performing high-speed elliptical orbits around a training aircraft near Ota air base in 1982, with the object stopping just 15 feet above one plane during an interception attempt.
Background
On November 2, 1982, Portuguese Air Force Lieutenant Julio Miguel Guerra, a 29-year-old flight instructor with the 101st Air Force Squadron, encountered a metallic disc while flying solo near Ota air base. The object performed extraordinary maneuvers, was confirmed by two fellow officers, and remained unidentified after official investigation.
The Incident
Lieutenant Julio Miguel Guerra was flying a DHC-1 Chipmunk solo near Montejunto mountain and Torres Vedras close to Ota air base.
At about 10:50 a.m. at 5,000-5,500 feet altitude, he spotted an oval metallic object near the ground.
The object suddenly climbed to his altitude in under ten seconds.
Das Objekt
The disc was composed of two halves with a reflecting band around the center.
It repeatedly orbited his aircraft in large elliptical patterns at an estimated speed of 1,550 mph.
Witness Accounts
Two fellow officers, Carlos Garces and Antonio Gomes, joined in a second Chipmunk and confirmed the sighting.
During an attempted interception, the object flew directly at Guerra.
It stopped only 15 feet above his aircraft, then departed at extreme speed toward Sintra mountain.
Investigation
General Jose Lemos Ferreira released all records to a scientific investigation team of ~30 experts.
The team produced a 170+ page report.
The report concluded the object remained unidentified.