The Cash-Landrum Incident (1980)

The Cash-Landrum incident is one of the most famous UFO sightings in American history. The incident occurred on December 29, 1980, in the small town of Dayton, Texas, and involved a mysterious object that emitted a powerful, blinding light.

The incident was witnessed by three people: Betty Cash, Vickie Landrum, and Vickie’s seven-year-old grandson Colby. The following is a list of key points and claims made about the incident:

1. The sighting: According to the witnesses, they were driving home from a bingo game when they saw a bright light in the sky that appeared to be coming from a diamond-shaped object. The object was described as being about the size of a car and emitting flames or exhaust from the bottom.
2. Physical effects: After watching the object for several minutes, the witnesses reported feeling intense heat and radiation emanating from the object. They also claimed that their car became so hot that they had to stop and get out, and that their skin became red and blistered.
3. Government involvement: After the incident, the witnesses reported the sighting to the local sheriff’s office and the U.S. Air Force. Some people believe that the government may have been involved in the incident, either by testing experimental aircraft or covering up evidence of extraterrestrial life.
4. Medical effects: Betty Cash and Vickie Landrum both reported experiencing long-term medical effects as a result of the incident, including hair loss, headaches, and memory loss. They filed a lawsuit against the U.S. government, claiming that the object they saw was a secret military experiment and that they were exposed to dangerous levels of radiation.
5. Investigations: The Cash-Landrum incident has been the subject of numerous investigations, both by independent researchers and government agencies. Some investigators have concluded that the object was a prototype of a military aircraft known as the AV-22 Osprey, while others believe that it was of extraterrestrial origin.
6. Books: The incident has been the subject of several books, including “The Cash-Landrum UFO Incident” by John F. Schuessler, “Clear Intent” by Larry Fawcett and Barry Greenwood, and “The UFO Enigma” by Peter A. Sturrock. These books explore the incident in detail and offer different theories about what the witnesses saw.
7. Reliability of sources: There is some controversy over the reliability of the witnesses and other sources associated with the incident. While some investigators and researchers believe that the witnesses were credible and that the incident was a genuine UFO sighting, others have questioned the veracity of their claims.
8. Theories: The Cash-Landrum incident remains a topic of debate and speculation among UFO enthusiasts and researchers. Some believe that the object was a secret military experiment, while others argue that it was of extraterrestrial origin. Some theories suggest that the object was a prototype of the AV-22 Osprey, a hybrid aircraft that was being developed at the time.

There are conflicting reports about whether the UFO in the Cash-Landrum incident was carrying anything. Some witnesses reported seeing the object emit flames or exhaust from the bottom, which may suggest that it was carrying a payload or some form of propulsion system.