Frederick Valentich disappearance

Record summary

What happened Pilot Frederick Valentich radioed Melbourne flight service that a large object with bright lights was circling above his Cessna 182. He reported engine trouble and said it was ‘not an aircraft’ before communications ended with an unusual sound. Neither Valentich nor the aircraft was recovered. Evidence A recorded air-traffic-control conversation, known flight plan and search operation document the disappearance. Explanations considered Spatial disorientation leading to a fatal crash, misidentification of Venus and stars, and deliberate disappearance have been proposed. What remains uncertain Without wreckage or independent radar, the object report and cause of the crash cannot be separated conclusively. Primary source Frederick Valentich disappearance — Wikipedia