Frederick Valentich, an Australian aviator, vanished over Bass Strait during a 125-nautical-mile (232-kilometer) training flight in a Cessna 182L aircraft bearing the registration VH-DSJ. Aspiring for a career in aviation, Valentich faced setbacks, having twice fallen short in the examinations for the commercial license and facing rejection from the RAAF.
On the evening of Saturday, October 21, 1978, an anomaly unfolded during his flight. Valentich contacted Melbourne air traffic control, disclosing an unfamiliar aircraft at approximately 1,000 feet (300 m) above him, reporting engine trouble. Describing the mysterious craft as colossal and swiftly moving, he expressed concern.
Subsequently, he reported the aircraft orbiting above him, characterized by a sleek metallic surface and a vivid green light. Despite the controller's insistence, Valentich could not identify the enigmatic craft. His final communication conveyed, "It’s not an aircraft." The transmission concluded with the sound of scraping metal, and Valentich was never heard from again.
On the night of his disappearance, there were belated claims of a UFO sighting in Australia. However, the Department of Transport dismissed the notion, proposing Valentich might have become disoriented, mistaking his own lights for a UFO. Frederick Valentich, born on June 9, 1958, possessed a class-four instrument rating, enabling night flights only under visual meteorological conditions, with approximately 150 total flying hours. Despite his aspirations, he faced rejection from the RAAF due to insufficient academic credentials.
Valentich's final flight was destined for King Island, but the purpose remains unclear. While he informed some of picking up crayfish, he informed flight officials of plans to rendezvous with friends. Both justifications were later revealed as false, and he neglected to notify King Island Airport of his landing intentions.
The investigation involved an extensive search by an oceangoing ship, a RAAF Lockheed P-3 Orion, and eight civilian aircraft, covering over 1,000 square miles. The search yielded no results, leading to its abandonment on October 25th, 1978. The Australian Department of Transport's investigation deemed Valentich's disappearance "presumed fatal," with a discovered engine cowl flap providing no definitive answers.
Various theories emerged regarding Valentich's disappearance. Some speculate he staged his vanishing act, pointing to remaining fuel in his aircraft. Another theory suggests disorientation, possibly flying inverted, leading to a potential crash. Suicide is hypothesized but largely dismissed. A 2013 review proposes an astronomical explanation, suggesting Valentich misinterpreted a tilted horizon, entering a downward spiral.
Ufologists entertain the notion of extraterrestrial involvement, citing green lights and irregular movements. Ground Saucer Watch alleges images taken on the day reveal a fast-moving object entering the ocean, though their clarity is disputed. The mysterious circumstances surrounding Frederick Valentich's disappearance persist, prompting diverse theories to unravel this enigma.
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