DISCLOSURE / FILE
Department of Transport Air Safety Investigation case 78/3023 covering the 21 October 1978 disappearance of pilot Frederick Valentich and Cessna 182L VH-DSJ over Bass Strait after he reported an unidentified aircraft orbiting him.
Department of Transport Air Safety Investigation case 78/3023 covering the 21 October 1978 disappearance of pilot Frederick Valentich and Cessna 182L VH-DSJ over Bass Strait after he reported an unidentified aircraft orbiting him.
Frederick Valentich, 20, vanished while flying a Cessna 182L registered VH-DSJ from Moorabbin to King Island on 21 October 1978. In his final exchange with Melbourne Flight Service he described an unidentified aircraft above him with four bright lights, said it was orbiting his Cessna, then reported metallic scraping sounds before the channel went silent. Neither pilot nor aircraft were recovered. The Department of Transport Air Safety Investigation Branch closed case 78/3023 with cause 'not determined, presumed fatal'.