Case Studies + Case Assessment Matrix

Cases

89 incidents, sites and programs. The status comes from the Case Assessment Matrix's "Current status"; cases without a matrix row are marked Not assessed. Unexplained is not the same as extraordinary.

CASE-001Skinwalker RanchNot assessed4 evidenceLong-term research site · Uintah County, Utah · 1990s–present
CASE-002USS Nimitz / Tic Tac encounterNot assessed3 evidenceMilitary aerial encounter · Pacific Ocean off Southern California · 2004-11 (especially Nov 14)
CASE-003Roswell incident (1947)Not assessed7 evidenceHistorical debris recovery · Near Roswell, New Mexico · 1947-07
CASE-004Area 51 / Groom LakeNot assessed4 evidenceClassified aerospace test facility · Groom Lake, Nevada · 1955–present
CASE-005Varginha UFO / alleged creature encounters (1996)Not assessed5 evidenceHistorical multi-witness incident and alleged retrieval · Varginha and Três Corações, Minas Gerais, Brazil · January 1996; later investigations 1996–2026
CASE-006Rendlesham Forest incidentNot assessed4 evidenceMilitary ground / aerial encounter · Rendlesham Forest, Suffolk, England (RAF Woodbridge / Bentwaters) · 1980-12-26 to 1980-12-28 (memo dates differ)
CASE-007Bradshaw RanchNot assessed2 evidenceHistorical ranch / reported anomalous activity · Near Sedona, Arizona · 1990s–present reports
CASE-008Stardust RanchNot assessed2 evidencePrivate ranch / reported anomalous activity · Buckeye / Rainbow Valley, Arizona · 1990s–2010s public accounts
CASE-009Rocky Mountain RanchNot assessed1 evidenceHistorical ranch / reported anomalous activity · Colorado (precise site to verify) · 1970s onward reported
CASE-010USS Omaha sphere / alleged transmedium encounterNot assessed2 evidenceNaval sensor/video encounter · Southern California offshore operating area · 2019-07-15 (reported)
CASE-011USS Russell triangular night-vision objectsNot assessed2 evidenceNaval night-vision / UAS encounter · Southern California offshore operating area · 2019-07-17 (reported)
CASE-012USS Theodore Roosevelt CSG — East Coast encounters and Navy hazard reports (2013–2015; 2019 related)Not assessed5 evidenceMilitary aerial encounters / aviation safety reports · US East Coast training ranges, including W-72 off VA/NC and W-386 off MD · 2013–2015; separate 2019 EA-18G report
CASE-013Vandenberg AFB reported UAP incidentsNot assessed4 evidenceMilitary installation / reported sightings · Vandenberg Air Force Base (now Space Force Base), California · 2003–2005
CASE-014USS Jackson reported UAP encounterNot assessed1 evidenceNaval multi-sensor / visual encounter · W-291 warning area, off Southern California · 2023-02-15
CASE-015Dylan Borland Langley AFB reported encounterNot assessed1 evidenceMilitary-base eyewitness encounter · Langley Air Force Base, Virginia · Summer 2012
CASE-016Cheyenne Mountain / Fort Carson reported object (Caison Best)Not assessed4 evidenceMilitary ground eyewitness report / official analytic assessment · Fort Carson and Cheyenne Mountain, Colorado, USA · 2022-02-15; public interviews 2025–2026
CASE-017STAR GATE / U.S. Government Remote Viewing Research and UAP-Related ClaimsNot assessed12 evidenceHistorical government research program; anomalous cognition · United States (SRI; Fort Meade and other facilities) · 1972–1995; subsequent disclosures
CASE-018Hessdalen LightsNot assessed3 evidenceLong-term atmospheric-light investigation · Hessdalen Valley, Trøndelag, Norway · 1981–present
CASE-019Japan Airlines Flight 1628Open1 evidenceAviation / radar · Alaska, USA · 1986-11-17
CASE-020Belgian UFO Wave and F-16 responseOpen1 evidenceMass sightings / military response · Belgium · 1989–1990
CASE-0211976 Tehran F-4 incidentOpen1 evidenceMilitary aviation / intelligence record · Tehran, Iran · 1976-09-19
CASE-022Aguadilla / Puerto Rico infrared recordingDocumented3 evidenceAviation infrared video / resolved assessment · Aguadilla, Puerto Rico · 2013-04-25 (Puerto Rico local); 2013-04-26 (UTC)
CASE-023GOFAST Navy FLIR videoDocumented1 evidenceMilitary infrared video / resolved kinematic assessment · Atlantic Ocean off Florida, USA · 2015-01
CASE-024Washington, D.C. radar–visual incidents (July 1952)Explained11 evidenceCivil and military aviation radar reports; eyewitness lights; fighter interception · Washington National Airport, Andrews AFB and Washington metropolitan airspace · 1952-07-19/20 and 1952-07-26/27
CASE-025Socorro / Lonnie ZamoraOpen16 evidenceClose encounter / trace report · Socorro, New Mexico, USA · 1964-04-24
CASE-026Falcon Lake encounterOpen1 evidencePhysical-trace / medical claim · Manitoba, Canada · 1967-05-20
CASE-027Shag Harbour incidentOpen1 evidenceCoastal / search response · Nova Scotia, Canada · 1967-10-04
CASE-028Trans-en-Provence trace investigationOpen1 evidencePhysical-trace / official French investigation · Trans-en-Provence, France · 1981-01-08
CASE-029Stephenville Texas sightingsOpen4 evidenceMass sightings / radar analysis · Stephenville, Texas, USA · 2008-01
CASE-030Usovo / Byelokoroviche Soviet missile-base incidentDocumented5 evidenceMilitary nuclear installation / reported UAP and launch-control anomaly · Usovo / Byelokoroviche, Ukrainian SSR (now Ukraine) · 1982-10-04 (reported; later published account differs by one day)
CASE-031Malmstrom AFB — Echo Flight missile shutdownDisputed4 evidenceNuclear missile system malfunction; disputed UAP association · Montana, USA · 1967-03-16
CASE-032Malmstrom AFB — Oscar Flight UAP and missile shutdown allegationsDocumented4 evidenceRetrospective military witness report; nuclear missile operations · Near Roy, Montana, USA · Reportedly 1967-03-24/25
CASE-033Pantex Plant unidentified object incidentExplained2 evidenceNuclear weapons facility security / aerial object report · Pantex Plant, near Amarillo, Texas, USA · 2015-09-01
CASE-034Brazil — Official Night of the UFOs (1986)Explained2 evidenceMilitary radar / fighter interception / civilian sightings · São José dos Campos, São Paulo; Anápolis, Goiás; other Brazilian locations · 1986-05-19/20
CASE-035Colares UFO Flap / Operação PratoExplained8 evidenceMilitary field investigation / civilian close-encounter and medical-effect reports · Colares, Vigia and Santo Antônio do Tauá, Pará, Brazil · 1977–1978
CASE-036Reported Soviet MiG interception — Mangyshlak / Shaitan Mazar (1991)Documented1 evidenceRetrospective military aviation / alleged aircraft systems interference · Mangyshlak Peninsula (now Kazakhstan); alleged later crash location in Kyrgyzstan · Reported 1991-08-28
CASE-037Kirtland AFB / Manzano Weapons Storage Area (1980)Documented3 evidenceMilitary installation / security witness reports · Kirtland AFB, Coyote Canyon / Manzano area, Albuquerque, New Mexico · 1980-08 to 1980-09
CASE-038Hanford Engineer Works — wartime unidentified aircraft reports (1944–1945)Open3 evidenceManhattan Project / military air-defense reports · Hanford Engineer Works near Pasco/Richland, Washington · 1944-12 to 1945-01
CASE-039ECETI Ranch — Trout Lake / Mount Adams skywatchingDocumented1 evidencePublic skywatching site / recurring witness claims · Trout Lake, Washington; Mount Adams vicinity · 1990s–present
CASE-040Harry King Ranch / “Snippy” (Lady) horse deathDocumented1 evidenceHistorical animal death / alleged mutilation and UFO association · Near Alamosa, San Luis Valley, Colorado · 1967-09
CASE-041Big Sur / Vandenberg Atlas missile-film incident (1964)Disputed3 evidenceMilitary optical tracking / disputed film testimony · Big Sur optical station; Vandenberg AFB launch, California · 1964-09 (precise launch date disputed)
CASE-042Holloman AFB alleged landing/contact (1964; disputed dating)Not assessed2 evidenceAlleged military contact / retrospective testimony · Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico · 1964 (per Stratton account; other narratives vary)
CASE-043Edwards AFB — reported stationary black cube encounterNot assessed1 evidenceMilitary test-pilot aerial encounter / retrospective testimony · Edwards Air Force Base vicinity, California · Date unknown
CASE-044Chilean Navy helicopter infrared encounter (November 11, 2014)Not assessed3 evidenceMilitary aviation / infrared recording · Central Chile coast, offshore near Santiago/Valparaíso region · 2014-11-11
CASE-045Carrier Strike Group 9 — Southern California UAP/UAS encounters (2018–2019)Not assessed7 evidenceNaval multi-vessel aerial encounters / UAS reports · Southern California offshore operating areas, near San Diego · 2018–2019; July 2019 documented
CASE-046Ellsworth AFB — Mario Woods / November-5 missile facilityNot assessed1 evidenceMilitary nuclear missile-site eyewitness report · Near Newell, South Dakota · 1977-11 (specific date disputed)
CASE-047Whiteman AFB — Terry Lovelace reported missile-site encounterNot assessed1 evidenceMilitary nuclear missile-site eyewitness report · Whiteman AFB missile complex, Missouri · Mid-1970s (date requires verification)
CASE-048Wright-Patterson AFB — UFO programs and alleged recovery storageNot assessed2 evidenceDocumented military investigation / disputed material custody · Wright-Patterson AFB, Dayton, Ohio · 1947–1969; later claims
CASE-049RAF Lakenheath / Mildenhall / Feltwell / Fairford incursionsNot assessed1 evidenceMilitary installation airspace incursions · Suffolk and Gloucestershire, United Kingdom · 2024-11 (from Nov 20)
CASE-050Aztec, New Mexico alleged 1948 crashNot assessed1 evidenceHistorical alleged crash retrieval · Aztec, New Mexico, USA · 1948-03 (alleged)
CASE-0511975 SAC base incursions (Loring, Wurtsmith, Malmstrom, Minot, Falconbridge)Open1 evidenceNuclear weapons base security / unknown aircraft · Loring AFB, Maine; Wurtsmith AFB, Michigan; Malmstrom AFB, Montana; Minot AFB, North Dakota; CFS Falconbridge, Ontario · 1975-10-27 to 1975-11 (multiple nights)
CASE-052Kecksburg, Pennsylvania object recoveryOpen1 evidenceReported object descent / alleged military recovery · Kecksburg, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania · 1965-12-09
CASE-0531966 Michigan sightings and first congressional UFO hearingDisputed1 evidenceMultiple-witness sightings / congressional oversight · Dexter and Hillsdale, Michigan · 1966-03-20 to 1966-04-05
CASE-054Project Moon Dust / Operation Blue FlyDocumented1 evidenceGovernment recovery program · United States Air Force; worldwide via embassies · 1950s–1980s
CASE-055Cash-Landrum incidentOpen1 evidenceClose encounter with reported injuries / military helicopters · Near Huffman and Dayton, Texas · 1980-12-29
CASE-056Langley AFB drone incursionsOpen1 evidenceMilitary base airspace incursions · Langley AFB (Joint Base Langley-Eustis), Virginia · 2023-12 (about 17 nights)
CASE-057February 2023 high-altitude object shootdownsOpen1 evidenceMilitary interception of unidentified objects · Beaufort Sea / northern Alaska; Yukon, Canada; Lake Huron · 2023-02-10 to 2023-02-12
CASE-058New Jersey drone sightingsExplained1 evidenceMass drone sightings / multi-agency response · New Jersey and surrounding states · 2024-11 to 2024-12
CASE-059Kenneth Arnold sightingDocumented1 evidencePilot sighting · Near Mount Rainier, Washington · 1947-06-24
CASE-060Mantell incidentDisputed1 evidenceMilitary pilot death during pursuit · Godman Field, Fort Knox, to Franklin, Kentucky · 1948-01-07
CASE-061Chiles–Whitted sightingDisputed1 evidenceAirline pilot sighting · Near Montgomery, Alabama · 1948-07-24
CASE-062Gorman "dogfight"Explained1 evidenceMilitary pilot encounter · Fargo, North Dakota · 1948-10-01
CASE-063Great Falls (Mariana) filmDisputed1 evidenceMotion-picture evidence · Great Falls, Montana · 1950-08-15
CASE-064Lubbock LightsDisputed1 evidenceMultiple-witness sightings with photographs · Lubbock, Texas · 1951-08 to 1951-09
CASE-065Tremonton, Utah filmDisputed1 evidenceMotion-picture evidence · Near Tremonton, Utah · 1952-07-02
CASE-066Kinross F-89 disappearanceOpen1 evidenceMilitary aircraft loss during intercept · Lake Superior near Kinross AFB, Michigan · 1953-11-23
CASE-067Levelland, Texas sightingsDisputed1 evidenceMultiple-witness / vehicle interference · Levelland, Texas · 1957-11-02 to 1957-11-03
CASE-068RB-47 multi-sensor caseOpen1 evidenceMilitary aircraft / electronic intelligence · Gulf Coast: Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma · 1957-07-17
CASE-069Minot AFB B-52 radar caseOpen1 evidenceMilitary radar-visual / nuclear base · Minot AFB, North Dakota · 1968-10-24
CASE-070Coyne Army helicopter incidentOpen1 evidenceMilitary helicopter encounter · Near Mansfield, Ohio · 1973-10-18
CASE-071World War II "foo fighters"Documented1 evidenceWartime aircrew sightings · European and Pacific theaters · 1944–1945
CASE-072"Battle of Los Angeles"Explained1 evidenceWartime air-defense alarm · Los Angeles, California · 1942-02-24 to 1942-02-25
CASE-073Mexican Air Force infrared videoDisputed1 evidenceMilitary aircraft sensor recording · Campeche, Mexico · 2004-03-05
CASE-074Calvine photographOpen1 evidencePhotographic evidence / MoD file · Near Calvine, Perthshire, Scotland · 1990-08-04
CASE-075Valentich disappearanceOpen1 evidencePilot disappearance during reported encounter · Bass Strait, Australia · 1978-10-21
CASE-076Manises incidentDisputed1 evidenceAirliner diversion / military intercept · Valencia, Spain · 1979-11-11
CASE-077Petrozavodsk phenomenonExplained1 evidenceMass sighting / state research program · Petrozavodsk, Karelia, USSR · 1977-09-20
CASE-078O'Hare Airport sightingDisputed1 evidenceAirport employee sighting / FAA records · Chicago O'Hare International Airport · 2006-11-07
CASE-079American Airlines Flight 2292 reportOpen1 evidenceAirline pilot report · Northeastern New Mexico · 2021-02-21
CASE-080Eglin AFB aircrew encounterExplained1 evidenceMilitary pilot encounter / AARO case · Gulf of Mexico near Eglin AFB, Florida · Reported 2023 (exact date in AARO report)
CASE-081Muroc Army Air Field sightings (July 1947)Not assessed5 evidenceMilitary witness sightings / contemporaneous affidavits · Muroc Army Air Field (now Edwards AFB) and Rogers Dry Lake, California · 1947-07-07 to 1947-07-08; statements to 1947-08-14
CASE-082Recovered 'flying disc' hoaxes in the FBI files (1947-1948)Not assessed4 evidenceRecovered objects / resolved hoaxes and pranks (comparative) · North Hollywood, California; Black River Falls, Wisconsin; Illinois (Springfield FBI office); Helendale, California · 1947-07-09 to 1948
CASE-083New Mexico green fireballs (1948-1951)Not assessed7 evidenceAerial luminous phenomena near atomic facilities / scientific and military investigation · New Mexico: Los Alamos, Sandia Base, Starvation Peak, Socorro region, Vaughn and Holloman AFB · 1948-12 to 1951
CASE-084Oak Ridge radar and visual reports (October-November 1950)Not assessed7 evidenceAtomic facility radar and visual reports · Oak Ridge, Tennessee (controlled area, Kerr Hollow/Solway gate, Blair Gate/K-25, X-10) and Knoxville/McGhee Tyson radar · 1950-10-12 to 1950-11-10
CASE-085Montauk-Benton radar alert (September 1957)Not assessed6 evidenceAir-defense radar alert / intelligence warning review · Montauk AFS, New York (773d AC&W Sqn) and Benton AFS, Pennsylvania (648th AC&W Sqn); interceptors from Kinross AFB, Michigan and Truax AFB, Wisconsin · 1957-09-20; follow-up to 1958-02-26
CASE-086Rex Heflin photographs, Santa Ana (1965)Not assessed5 evidencePhotographic case (disputed) · Myford Road near Santa Ana, Orange County, California · 1965-08-03
CASE-087William R. Presley Oak Ridge photographs (July 1947)Not assessed2 evidencePhotographic case (resolved as film artifact) · Oak Ridge, Tennessee · 1947-07; correspondence 1949-01 to 1949-02
CASE-090Elizondo AATIP role and OSD/OUSD(I) placement: DoD FOIA 21-F-0938 emailsNot assessed4 evidenceDocumentary records / institutional-role dispute · Office of the Secretary of Defense (OUSD(I)), Pentagon, Washington area · 2017-08 to 2020-06 (emails); 2008 to Oct 2017 role asserted by Elizondo
CASE-091Wilson–Davis notes (purported 2002 Eric Davis–Adm. Thomas Wilson meeting)Not assessed6 evidenceDisputed document / alleged insider account of a contractor-held recovered-craft program · Las Vegas, Nevada (EG&G Special Projects building, per the notes); Pentagon (alleged 1997 inquiry) · 1997 (alleged inquiry); 2002-10-16 (document date); public circulation 2019; Congress.gov hosting 2022; attribution dispute 2024