NUFORC Sighting 01349

Occurred: 1995-12-24 23:30 Local
Reported: 1996-02-26 00:00 Pacific
Duration: 1-2 min.
No of observers: 4

Location: Christiansburg, VA, USA

Shape: Triangle

Man called to report that he, together with three other observers, had been witness to a an occurrence involving four aircraft, three of which appeared to be conventional-type military aircraft, and the fourth appeared to be an unusual, triangular-shaped object with non-conventional lighting.

The observers first noticed two aircraft, which appeared to be flying a parallel course directly south, in tandem formation, at the same altitude, and separated by only 1/2 to 1 mile. The apparent close proximity of the two aircraft is what first drew the observers' attention and caused them to conclude that they were military aircraft, as opposed to commercial or private aircraft. The individual who called and who submitted the written report stated that he and the other observers are familiar with the general flight characteristics of aircraft flying out of Roanoke, VA, airport, and they invariably maintain greater separation than what they observed for these two aircraft that had drawn their attention.

Suddenly, the observers became aware of a third "aircraft," which was directly ahead of the first two aircraft. The observers immediately developed the impression that the third "aircraft" was being pursued by the first two they had witnessed. The third object was less well illuminated that the first two, and its lighting pattern consisted of three red, somewhat "subdued" lights, arranged in a triangular pattern. Its size was approximately that of the other two aircraft.

Approximately 30-60 seconds after the observers had spotted the first two conventional aircraft, they suddenly noticed that a third aircraft was flying from the northwest directly toward the triangular aircraft, apparently on a "collision" course with it, closing from the starboard side of the triangular-shaped aircraft, and flying at a somewhat higher speed that the triangular ship exhibited.

Within seconds of sighting the fourth aircraft, the observers realized that none of the conventional aircraft were able to keep up with the triangular craft, all of them beginning to fall behind at the latter apparently began to accelerate. The third conventional aircraft fell behind the triangle, and began to fly parallel to the other conventional aircraft.

The incident was reported to the FAA in Roanoke, VA, and to Andrews AFB.

Posted 1999-11-02