The Frederick Valentich Disappearance

On October 21, 1978, 20-year-old pilot Frederick Valentich disappeared over Bass Strait, Australia, while radioing air traffic control about an unidentified craft hovering over his Cessna 182. Neither he nor his aircraft were ever found.

The Flight

Valentich departed Moorabbin Airport at 6:19 PM for King Island, a routine 90-minute flight. At 7:06 PM, he contacted Melbourne flight control to report an unusual aircraft.

The Transmissions

Valentich reported a large unknown aircraft with four bright lights about 1,000 feet above him. It passed over his plane at high speed, then returned. He described it as “not an aircraft.” His engine began running rough.

The Final Words

Valentich’s last transmission was: “It is not an aircraft.” This was followed by 17 seconds of metallic scraping sounds. Then silence. All contact was lost. No trace was ever found.

The Investigation

Intensive searches found no wreckage. An investigation could not determine what happened. Other witnesses reported UFO activity in the area that night. The case was never closed.

Assessment

The Valentich disappearance is unique in featuring a recorded encounter preceding the victim’s disappearance. Whether abducted, crashed while distracted, or something else, Frederick Valentich’s fate remains unknown.