NUFORC Sighting 31054

Occurred: 2003-08-29 22:30 Local
Reported: 2003-08-31 11:55 Pacific
Duration: 7 minutes
No of observers: 6

Location: Portland, OR, USA

Shape: Triangle
Characteristics: Lights on object

Silent Triangle over Gresham/Portland Oregon remains motionless over hill then rapidly accellerates away.

On August 29, 2003 at 10:30 PM I was traveling east to west on SE Division St. in Gresham Oregon, towards Portland. The sky was clear and cloudless At the corner of Hogan and Division I noticed an unusually bright light to the west. At first I thought it might be an airplane, but it was not traveling on a flight path that would have taken it to or from the Portland International Airport.

Continuing on Division St. I noted that the light had not moved, and what I first took for a plane was actually stationary. I could now see that in addition to the bright white light, a smaller blinking red light was visible parallel to the white light. Was it a helicopter hovering? I live about three miles from where this light was and am familiar with the area, and I knew that there was no antennae tower of any kind on this hill that would account for a stationary light.

On August 29, 2003 at 10:30 PM I was traveling east to west on SE Division St. in Gresham Oregon, towards Portland. At the corner of Hogan and Division I noticed an unusually bright light to the west. At first I thought it might be an airplane, but it was not traveling on a flight path that would have taken it to or from the Portland International Airport.

Continuing on Division St. I noted that the light had not moved, and what I first took for a plane was actually stationary. I could now see that in addition to the bright white light, a smaller blinking red light was visible parallel to the white light. Was it a helicopter hovering? I live about three miles from where this light was and am familiar with the area, and I knew that there was no antennae tower of any kind on this hill that would account for a stationary light.

The closer I got to the light I could definitely tell it was not moving at all. I decided to find the first turn to the left (south) to see how close I could get. I had my digital camera with me and it was my intention to photograph. I turned from Division onto NW Angeline St. (southbound) The street was lined with many tall fir trees and I could still see the light intermittently through the trees. Hoping to hear if what I was seeing was just a hovering helicopter, I turned off the radio and fan, and rolled down all of the car windows. I contiuned south on Angeline until I came to NW 5th where I then turned left (east).

Now I had a very clear view of the object. I could now see that it was triangular in shape with two bright lights on two of the corners and the red light was on the third corner. Luckily I wasn't the only one to see this thing.

Two men who were standing on the left side of the street (NW 5th) were looking up at the object. Further down the street, a car was slowly moving toward the object with the driver looking up towards the triangle. Two girls, who were running down the street behind the car, were also looking up and pointing.

With the windows rolled down, I tried to hear what, if any sound the object was making. It was absolutely silent. Over the years I have seen Police, News, and Rescue helicopters flying all over the Portland area. If this were a helicopter hovering over a quiet residential neighborhood it would have been terrifically loud at its altitude. The most striking thing besides the silence, was the incredible stability of the object. It sat so still you would think it was affixed to the top of a tower. Helicopters hovering have a bit of wobble and drift, however slight. This was rock solid. I can't stress this point enough.

I have seen pictures of the Phoenix lights, the Belgium Triangle, Lubbock lights, etc, and this was very similar. While it was not possible from my point of view to discern surface details, it appeared to be very large (fifty to one hundred feet or more across) and an equilateral triangle. Since I was looking up at the object, it was not possible to estimate the height or thickness of the triangle.

As I moved further east on NW 5th, the triangle suddenly started to move. It may have been a reaction to so many people all moving towards it at once. But it may have been a coincidence. It pivoted on its center to face to the Northeast. As is turned it began to accelerate. Again, it was absolutely silent. And what was the most striking was the weirdly perfect precision of the turn. Not like a helicopter that will wobble slightly while turning, then tilt forward to accelerate. This move reminded me of the too precise way a computer simulation can be. (If done wrong) In film and television computer animation, an animator will intentionally add small bumps, tilts, or wobbles to make the animation seem more "real" or lifelike. This thing turned and began moving in one smooth perfect motion. If an animator produced a motion like this, it would be rejected as too smooth and fake looking.

I tried to follow it by taking the next available left turn (onto Towle Rd) and continued north. The street was lined with fir trees and it was rapidly moving to the NE making it difficult to see. Towle road has numerous speed bumps, so it was not possible to keep up. As I reached Division St. (the street I was originally travelling on when I first sighted the object) I could see two bright white lights of the back of the triangle. The red light was no longer visible, so I assumed it was either off, or that it was on the corner pointed away from me. (Was it the 'front'?) I turned left on Division St. and was now traveling east to west again. As there are houses and trees along this part of Division it was difficult to keep track of the triangle. As I approached the intersection of Birdsdale and Division I could see that it was now what appeared to be two to four miles away moving faster to the NE. If it continued in that direction it would have come very close to Portland International Airport and the Air National Guard. Within a few seconds it was gone from sight. It was now 10:37.

I am certain it was not a plane or helicopter. The complete lack of any sound would rule those out as possibilities. A Harrier Jet might be able to stay relatively still and then accelerate something like this did, but not stay completely motionless. Plus the Harrier is quite loud hovering.

Was it a blimp or some sort of balloon? Even blimps and balloons hovering make some movement. This was sitting rock steady in one spot. And the speed at which it accelerated would have required some sort of jet or prop engine. This was silent. Absolutely, completely silent.

((FOLLOW-UP COMMUNICATION FROM WITNESS))

Peter,

Feel free to pass my report along to ((investigator)). ((Name #2 deleted)) was correct, I am working on a graphic as well as computer animation of my sighting.

My background is in animation. I started professionally as a "claymator" at ((name deleted)) Studios in the late 80's. They were best known for the California Raisins. I went on to computer animation and have worked on a variety of pc games and cartoons.

A few years back I did some graphics work for ((Name #2)). If you wish you can see it at:

((URL deleted))

At the time I built that particular 3D computer model, I didn't realize from where ((Name #2 deleted)) got the drawings. (he provided me with .jpg's of some sketches) Originally I was making something a bit different, but still in keeping with the eyewitness accounts. That image had been online for a number of years when ((Name #3 deleted)) happened upon it and was quite upset at the time. But I explained how I arrived at that design and had not in fact seen the model kit until afterwards. He was very understanding and I posted the appropriate credit to him.

I also made a FLASH interactive guide to famous UFO cases for ((name #2 deleted)). It is posted at:

((URL deleted))

Thanks for you time. I will let you know when I have finished the graphics of my sighting.

((name deleted))

((END ADDENDUM))


((FOLLOW-UP INVESTIGATION RESULTS, SUBMITTED BY MUFON/OREGON))

Investigation of Gresham Flying Triangle Incident

Summary of investigation of previously filed report. A full report has been submitted in writing to P. Davenport and to MUFON.

A second independent witness was located who apparently saw the same object. This is a probable unconventional or unidentified aerial object (UFO).

Although conventional aircraft were positively in the area, this is near the PDX approach pattern, and also near the Troutdale airport. Conventional aircraft are in this area all the time, and local residents are accustomed to seeing them. One witness also observed and clearly identified a commercial airliner that flew over minutes after the sighting of the unknown object. Both witnesses agree on basic details, essentially that a triangular object with lights near the corners, hovered over a residential area at well under 1,000 feet (the FAA mandated minimum altitude above terrain). This craft hovered silently for several seconds, then departed rapidly in a northerly or northwesterly direction. Full report (minus witness identities) available on request.

((END FOLLOW-UP REPORT))



NUFORC Note:

We express our gratitude to Mr. Tom Bowden, State Director, MUFON/Oregon, for following up on this report. Mr. Bowden may be contacted at: tomr.bowden@verizon.net. Other witnesses are encouraged to submit a report here, and to contact Mr. Bowden. PD


Posted 2003-09-04

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