The Cash-Landrum Incident

On December 29, 1980, three people driving through rural Texas encountered a diamond-shaped UFO that left them with severe physical injuries resembling radiation exposure. The Cash-Landrum incident is unique in UFO history for the documented medical evidence, the apparent military involvement, and the subsequent lawsuit against the United States government.

The Witnesses

The witnesses were Betty Cash, fifty-one, the owner of a restaurant; Vickie Landrum, fifty-seven; and Vickie’s grandson Colby Landrum, seven. They were driving home to Dayton, Texas on a rural road through the piney woods after dinner at a restaurant.

These were ordinary people with no interest in UFOs. Betty Cash was a businesswoman. Vickie Landrum was a devout Christian who would later wonder if she had witnessed something biblical. They had no apparent motive to fabricate a story that would bring them pain, expense, and ridicule.

The Encounter

Shortly after 9:00 PM, the witnesses saw a bright light through the trees ahead. As they continued driving, the light resolved into a massive diamond-shaped object hovering over the road. It was spouting flames downward, apparently to maintain altitude.

The object was huge, perhaps as large as a water tower, and blindingly bright. The heat from it was intense, forcing them to stop. Betty Cash got out of the car for a better look. The car’s dashboard became too hot to touch. Colby was crying in the back seat.

After several minutes, the object rose higher and moved away. As it departed, the witnesses observed approximately twenty-three helicopters, both Chinook double-rotor types and single-rotor models, apparently escorting or following the object.

The Aftermath

Within hours, all three witnesses developed symptoms resembling radiation exposure. Betty Cash, who had been outside the car longest, was most severely affected. She developed blisters, her eyes swelled shut, and she experienced nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Her hair began falling out.

Betty was hospitalized multiple times over the following weeks. Doctors noted her symptoms were consistent with radiation exposure, though the source was never officially identified. She would struggle with health problems for the rest of her life, eventually dying in 1998—on the anniversary of the encounter.

Vickie and Colby also suffered, though less severely. Both developed eye problems, and Vickie experienced ongoing health issues.

Investigation

The witnesses reported their experience to various authorities. They attempted to identify the helicopters and trace them to a military source. The military denied any involvement or knowledge of helicopters in the area that night.

Investigators found evidence supporting the witnesses’ account. A road surface showed apparent heat damage. Other witnesses reported seeing helicopters in unusual concentrations that night. The consistency of the three witnesses’ accounts, including the seven-year-old’s, was noted.

The Lawsuit

In 1981, the witnesses filed a lawsuit against the United States government, seeking $20 million in damages. They alleged that the object was either a government craft or that the government was responsible for damage caused by its interaction with the object.

The case was dismissed in 1986. The judge ruled that the plaintiffs could not prove the object or helicopters belonged to the government. The military continued to deny any involvement, claiming no records of military helicopters in the area that night.

Questions

The Cash-Landrum incident raises persistent questions. If the object was a secret military project, why would it be flown over a public road? Why would helicopters escort something so dangerous? If it was not military, where did the helicopters come from?

The witnesses gained nothing from their experience except physical suffering, medical bills, and emotional trauma. Betty Cash spent years fighting illness and pursuing justice. The incident destroyed her health and dominated the rest of her life.

Theories

Various explanations have been proposed. Some researchers believe the object was a nuclear-powered prototype aircraft being tested. Others suggest it was a genuine UFO, with military helicopters attempting to track or capture it.

Skeptics have questioned whether the witnesses’ injuries were actually caused by the encounter or had other origins. The lack of widespread environmental damage along the road has been cited, though the heat damage reported was localized.

Legacy

The Cash-Landrum incident stands out in UFO history for its physical evidence. The documented medical symptoms, consistent witness testimony, and apparent military involvement make it one of the most substantial cases on record.

Whether the witnesses encountered an experimental aircraft, an extraterrestrial craft, or something else, they paid a severe price. Betty Cash’s suffering and death serve as a reminder that some UFO encounters have very real consequences.