The Stefan Michalak Encounter

On May 20, 1967, amateur geologist Stefan Michalak approached a landed UFO near Falcon Lake, Manitoba. When the craft suddenly departed, hot exhaust gases burned his chest, leaving a distinctive grid pattern. Michalak suffered radiation-like symptoms for months, and the case remains one of Canada’s best-documented UFO encounters.

Background

Stefan Michalak was a 51-year-old industrial mechanic and amateur geologist prospecting for minerals near Falcon Lake when the incident occurred.

The Sighting

At approximately 12:15 PM:

• Michalak noticed two cigar-shaped objects descending
• One landed on a flat rock approximately 160 feet away
• The other hovered briefly and departed
• He sketched the landed object from a distance

The Craft

Michalak observed:

• A disc-shaped craft approximately 35-40 feet in diameter
• A dome on top
• No visible seams, rivets, or joins
• A sulfur-like smell
• A grid pattern of small holes on one section

The Burn

As Michalak stepped back from examining the craft:

• A grid-like panel blasted him with hot gas
• His shirt caught fire
• He tore off his burning clothing
• The craft tilted and departed rapidly
• He was left with severe burns

Physical Evidence

The evidence included:

• Grid-pattern burns on Michalak’s chest
• Melted shirt and glove
• Burned vegetation at the site
• Elevated radiation levels
• Metal debris found at the site

Medical Effects

Michalak suffered:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Severe headaches
• Weight loss
• Recurring symptoms for months
• Permanent grid pattern burn scars

Significance

The Falcon Lake case is significant for:

• Extensive physical evidence
• Documented medical injuries
• Multiple official investigations
• Radioactive trace evidence
• Highly credible witness

Legacy

Stefan Michalak maintained his account until his death in 1999. The case demonstrates that UFO encounters can leave physical evidence on witnesses and the environment.