The Airline Pilot Sighting

On May 25, 1995, the crew of America West Flight 564 observed a large, cigar-shaped object with pulsating lights flying alongside their Boeing 757 over Texas. Their professional account remains one of the best-documented airline UFO sightings.

The Flight

America West 564:

• Boeing 757
• Dallas to Las Vegas
• Evening flight
• Clear weather
• Routine operation

The Crew

Professional witnesses:

• Captain Eugene Tollefson
• First Officer John Waller
• Flight attendant observed too
• Experienced aviators
• Credible reporters

The Sighting

What they saw:

• Large cigar shape
• 300-400 feet long
• Strobing lights
• Flying parallel
• Below their altitude

The Object

Description details:

• Cigar/cylinder shape
• Row of lights
• Pulsating pattern
• Dark body
• No wings visible

Position

Where it was:

• Below them
• Off to side
• Same heading
• Pacing them
• Several minutes

Duration

Extended observation:

• 8-10 minutes
• Clear view
• Multiple observers
• Time to study
• Not brief glimpse

Air Traffic Control

ATC response:

• Pilots reported
• Radar checked
• Nothing on scope
• No other traffic
• Unexplained

No Radar Return

Significant factor:

• Object not tracked
• Yet clearly visible
• Large size
• Radar-invisible?
• Puzzling aspect

The Investigation

Follow-up:

• FAA notified
• NARCAP reviewed
• Richard Haines studied
• Pilots interviewed
• Documented case

Professional Credibility

Why significant:

• Commercial pilots
• Major airline
• Experienced crew
• Careers at risk
• No benefit to lie

Other Thunderstorm UFOs

Similar reports:

• Often near storms
• Electrical connection?
• Multiple cases
• Pattern noted
• Research interest

The Lights

Distinctive feature:

• Strobing sequence
• Along fuselage
• Regular pattern
• Not conventional
• Intelligent display

Media Coverage

Press attention:

• UFO community interest
• Some mainstream
• Pilots went public
• Credibility noted
• Documented case

Significance

Multi-minute observation by professional flight crew with clear description and official reporting.

Legacy

America West 564 represents the ongoing phenomenon of pilot UFO sightings—professional aviators risking their careers to report what they cannot explain.