UAP/UFO Encounters that Occurred in 1978

In 1978, technology was still developing rapidly, with significant advancements being made in the areas of computing, communications, and transportation. Some notable technological developments of the time included the first personal computers (such as the Apple II and Commodore PET), the introduction of the first GPS satellite (Navstar-1), and the development of the first cellular phone network.

In terms of space technology, 1978 was a relatively quiet year, with no major space missions taking place. However, several notable rocket launches did occur, including the launch of the Pioneer Venus 1 and 2 missions to study the planet Venus, and the launch of the Landsat 3 satellite for Earth observation.

In the aviation industry, 1978 saw the introduction of the Boeing 757 and 767 aircraft, which represented a significant leap forward in commercial air travel technology. These aircraft were more fuel-efficient and had longer ranges than previous models, allowing airlines to offer more non-stop flights and expand their international routes.

Here are a few notable UAP/UFO encounters that occurred in 1978:

1. Kaikoura Lights – On December 31, 1978, a group of airline pilots and air traffic controllers in New Zealand observed a series of unidentified lights in the sky. The lights were tracked on radar and appeared to be following the planes, moving at high speeds and making sudden stops and turns. The incident was extensively investigated by the New Zealand government, but no explanation was ever found.
2. Val Johnson Incident – On August 27, 1978, Sheriff’s Deputy Val Johnson was on patrol in Minnesota when he encountered a bright light that seemed to be hovering above the road. The light suddenly struck his patrol car, causing him to lose consciousness. When he awoke, he had burns on his eyes and his patrol car had damage that could not be explained. The incident was investigated by local authorities and remains unexplained.
3. Petrozavodsk Phenomenon – On September 20, 1978, several residents of the town of Petrozavodsk in the Soviet Union reported seeing a strange object in the sky that appeared to be emitting a bright light. The object was also observed by military personnel and was tracked on radar. The incident was investigated by the Soviet government, but no official explanation was ever given.
4. New Zealand Cargo Plane Encounter – In July 1978, a cargo plane flying over New Zealand encountered a strange, glowing object that appeared to be following it. The object was observed by the pilots and crew for over an hour, and seemed to move in ways that were impossible for a conventional aircraft. The incident was investigated by the New Zealand government, but no explanation was ever found.
5. Trans-en-Provence Case – On January 8, 1978, a farmer in France observed a strange object hovering over his field. The object then descended and left burn marks on the ground before taking off again. The incident was investigated by the French government and is considered to be one of the best-documented and most convincing cases of a UFO encounter.
6. Coteau-du-Lac Incident – In May 1978, two motorists in Quebec, Canada, reported seeing a large, brightly lit object hovering over a nearby field. The object emitted a low-frequency humming sound and then abruptly disappeared. The incident was investigated by local authorities, but no explanation was ever found.
7. Chilean UFO Wave – In the spring of 1978, a series of UFO sightings were reported throughout Chile, including sightings by military personnel and airline pilots. The objects were described as being large, disc-shaped, and able to maneuver in ways that were impossible for conventional aircraft. The incidents were investigated by the Chilean government and remain unexplained.
8. Djinn UFO Sighting – In November 1978, a group of military personnel in Iran reported seeing a strange object in the sky that they referred to as a “Djinn.” The object emitted a bright light and seemed to be under intelligent control, moving in ways that were impossible for conventional aircraft. The incident was investigated by the Iranian government and remains unexplained.
9. Guam UFO Sightings – In 1978, there were several reported UFO sightings in Guam, including sightings by military personnel and local residents. The objects were described as being large, silent, and able to move at high speeds. The incidents were investigated by the military and remain unexplained.
10. Fort Dix/McGuire AFB Incident – In January 1978, security personnel at Fort Dix and McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey reported encountering a strange, humanoid creature near the base. The incident was investigated by military authorities, but no explanation was ever found.
11. Carbondale UFO Incident – In November 1978, several students at Southern Illinois University reported seeing a large, triangular object in the sky that emitted a pulsating red light. The incident was investigated by local authorities, but no explanation was ever found.
12. San Luis Valley UFO Sightings – In 1978, a series of UFO sightings were reported in the San Luis Valley of Colorado. The objects were described as being large, silent, and able to maneuver in ways that were impossible for conventional aircraft. The incidents were investigated by local authorities and remain unexplained.
13. Argentine UFO Flap – In the summer of 1978, a wave of UFO sightings were reported throughout Argentina. The objects were described as being large, disc-shaped, and able to move at high speeds. The incidents were investigated by the Argentine government and remain unexplained.
14. Berwyn Mountain Incident – In January 1978, several residents of the Berwyn Mountains in Wales reported seeing a large, glowing object in the sky that emitted a loud noise. The incident was investigated by local authorities, but no explanation was ever found.
15. New Hampshire UFO Incident – In September 1978, several residents of the town of Epping, New Hampshire, reported seeing a large, disc-shaped object in the sky that emitted a bright light. The object was also observed by police officers and military personnel. The incident was investigated by local authorities, but no explanation was ever found.
16. Bonsall UFO Encounter – In March 1978, a family in Bonsall, California reported seeing a large, silver object in the sky that emitted a bright light. The object made no noise and disappeared after a few minutes. The incident was investigated by local authorities, but no explanation was ever found.
17. Dutch UFO Wave – In 1978, a series of UFO sightings were reported throughout the Netherlands, including sightings by military personnel and police officers. The objects were described as being large and disc-shaped, and able to move in ways that were impossible for conventional aircraft. The incidents were investigated by the Dutch government and remain unexplained.
18. Australian UFO Sightings – In 1978, a number of UFO sightings were reported throughout Australia, including sightings by military personnel and airline pilots. The objects were described as being large, disc-shaped, and able to move at high speeds. The incidents were investigated by the Australian government and remain unexplained.
19. Canvey Island UFO Encounter – In August 1978, several residents of Canvey Island in the UK reported seeing a strange, triangular object in the sky that emitted a bright light. The object was also observed by local police officers. The incident was investigated by local authorities, but no explanation was ever found.
20. A70 Incident – In August 1978, two men in Scotland reported encountering a strange object while driving near the town of Livingston. The object emitted a bright light and seemed to be under intelligent control. The incident was investigated by local authorities, but no explanation was ever found.
21. Malmstrom AFB UFO Incident – In March 1978, security personnel at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana reported seeing a strange object in the sky that appeared to be hovering over the base’s missile silos. The incident was investigated by the military, but no explanation was ever found.
22. Indiana UFO Sightings – In 1978, a series of UFO sightings were reported throughout Indiana, including sightings by police officers and military personnel. The objects were described as being large, disc-shaped, and able to maneuver in ways that were impossible for conventional aircraft. The incidents remain unexplained.
23. Belgian UFO Wave – In the fall of 1978, a series of UFO sightings were reported throughout Belgium, including sightings by military personnel and police officers. The objects were described as being large and triangular, and able to maneuver in ways that were impossible for conventional aircraft. The incidents were investigated by the Belgian government and remain unexplained.
24. Ohio UFO Sightings – In 1978, several UFO sightings were reported throughout Ohio, including sightings by military personnel and police officers. The objects were described as being large, disc-shaped, and able to move at high speeds. The incidents were investigated by local authorities and remain unexplained.
25. Welsh Triangle – In 1978, several residents of the Vale of Glamorgan in Wales reported seeing a large, triangular object in the sky that emitted a bright light. The object was also observed by police officers and military personnel. The incident was investigated by local authorities, but no explanation was ever found.
26. Long Island UFO Sightings – In 1978, a series of UFO sightings were reported on Long Island, including sightings by police officers and military personnel. The objects were described as being large, disc-shaped, and able to move at high speeds. The incidents were investigated by local authorities and remain unexplained.
27. New Mexico UFO Sightings – In 1978, several UFO sightings were reported in New Mexico, including sightings by military personnel and airline pilots. The objects were described as being large, disc-shaped, and able to move in ways that were
28. Montoursville UFO Encounter – In October 1978, a pilot in Montoursville, Pennsylvania reported seeing a strange object in the sky that seemed to be following his plane. The incident was also observed by local residents and investigated by local authorities, but no explanation was ever found.
29. Sandia National Laboratories UFO Incident – In 1978, several security personnel at the Sandia National Laboratories in New Mexico reported seeing a large, triangular object in the sky that emitted a bright light. The incident was investigated by the military, but no explanation was ever found.
30. Northern Ohio UFO Sightings – In 1978, a series of UFO sightings were reported throughout northern Ohio, including sightings by police officers and military personnel. The objects were described as being large, disc-shaped, and able to move at high speeds. The incidents remain unexplained.
31. Texas UFO Sightings – In 1978, several UFO sightings were reported throughout Texas, including sightings by military personnel and airline pilots. The objects were described as being large, disc-shaped, and able to move in ways that were impossible for conventional aircraft. The incidents were investigated by local authorities and remain unexplained.
32. South African UFO Sightings – In 1978, a series of UFO sightings were reported throughout South Africa, including sightings by military personnel and police officers. The objects were described as being large, disc-shaped, and able to maneuver in ways that were impossible for conventional aircraft. The incidents remain unexplained.
33. Minot AFB UFO Incident – In 1978, security personnel at Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota reported seeing a strange object in the sky that seemed to be following their plane. The incident was investigated by the military, but no explanation was ever found.
34. New Jersey UFO Sightings – In 1978, several UFO sightings were reported throughout New Jersey, including sightings by police officers and military personnel. The objects were described as being large, disc-shaped, and able to move at high speeds. The incidents were investigated by local authorities and remain unexplained.
35. Elmwood UFO Encounter – In October 1978, several residents of Elmwood, Wisconsin reported seeing a large, triangular object in the sky that emitted a bright light. The object was also observed by local police officers. The incident was investigated by local authorities, but no explanation was ever found.