‘X-files’: UFO over Failsworth report

A Failsworth man reported a large UFO being chased by RAF Hercules aircraft in the latest series of ‘X-Files’-type releases from the Government.

The Ministry of Defence files, released by National Archives this week, report that he saw a large triangular object being chased by the aircraft in March, 1996, around 8.30pm.

He claimed to have photographs of the large triangular shaped object, which was larger than the aircraft, and he estimate them to be 70 feet from the ground. There were no lights or distinguishing features.

The report, from RAF Lyneham, in Wiltshire, was sent in by a Flight Lieutenant, who was duty operations controller on the night.

He confirmed Hercules aircraft were operating in the area on the night, but at 250 feet, and confirmed that none of the three Hercules crews reported seeing anything unusual.

However, the last line reads: “Please could you forward to us any UFO reporting forms you have.”

Spookily, a similar report was made in July this year by a retired school teacher who lives near the airbase. John Powell photographed “an unusual silver orb tracking a Hercules in broad daylight” as it landed at Lyneham on July 22.

The MOD said it would not be investigating because there was no evidence of a potential threat.

l The archives also reveal that a pilot reported a ‘lit object’ passing very close as he flew into Manchester Airport in January, 1995.

He was approaching the runway at around 4,000 feet when he saw the object in the dark at about 7 pm.

The air traffic controller who made a report to the Civil Aviation Authority added: “There was no known traffic in the vicinity at the time of the report and no other contacts were observed by me at any time.”