Kaikoura Lights New Zealand
A film crew aboard a cargo plane captured extraordinary footage of UFOs over New Zealand. The Kaikoura lights, tracked on radar and witnessed by pilots, remain unexplained.
On December 31, 1978, a film crew aboard a cargo plane in New Zealand captured some of the most compelling UFO footage ever recorded. The Kaikoura lights, tracked on radar and witnessed by experienced pilots, have never been satisfactorily explained.
The Setting
The event unfolded during New Year’s Eve 1978 in the South Island of New Zealand. The flight was aboard a cargo plane, specifically an Argosy aircraft operated by Safe Freight company, and a film crew was onboard to document the journey.
Why Film Crew?
The film crew was assembled for a specific investigation by Australian television. Channel 0 (Ten) was tasked with examining prior sightings, and the crew was scheduled to fly the same route on December 21st as a follow-up mission.
The Crew
Aboard the Argosy aircraft were Captain Bill Startup, who served as the pilot, Co-pilot Bob Guard, Quentin Fogarty, who functioned as a reporter, and David Crockett, the cameraman, along with his wife, Ngaire.
Prior Incidents
On December 21, 1978, prior to the New Year’s Eve flight, multiple sightings of unexplained objects were reported along the same flight route – from Wellington to Christchurch. Radar confirmation of these objects triggered an initial investigation into the phenomenon.
New Year’s Eve Flight
On December 31st, the flight departed from Blenheim, heading towards Christchurch. As they approached Christchurch, radar contacts began to register, which were soon followed by visual sightings of the objects. The film crew diligently rolled the camera throughout this period.
What They Saw
The crew observed multiple objects in the sky, characterized by bright, pulsating lights. These lights were observed following the aircraft and maneuvering in ways that seemed uncharacteristic of conventional aircraft. The objects were visible for an extended period, captivating the attention of the flight crew.
The Radar
Wellington radar tracked the objects, reporting multiple contacts that were in close proximity to the aircraft. The radar confirmations were visually corroborated by the crew’s observations, indicating that these were genuine targets.
The Film
David Crockett, the cameraman, captured color footage of the objects throughout the flight. The footage documented multiple sequences showcasing the objects’ movement and fluctuating brightness, providing remarkable evidence of the event.
Captain Startup
Captain Bill Startup, a seasoned pilot with 23 years of experience, stated that he had never encountered anything quite like it. He firmly believed that the objects were real and not aircraft, suggesting the presence of “certain something there.”
The Analysis
The film footage was examined by Dr. Bruce Maccabee, an optical physicist, who conducted a thorough analysis. His investigation confirmed the presence of genuine anomalies and ruled out the possibility of artifacts or illusions.
Skeptical Explanations
Some individuals suggested potential explanations, including sightings of Venus, Japanese fishing boats, train lights, or squid boat lights. However, none of these explanations fully satisfied the investigators.
Problems with Explanations
Despite these suggested explanations, several factors remained compelling. The radar confirmation, the observed movements of the objects, their consistent following of the aircraft, the pilots’ significant experience, and the available film evidence all pointed towards something extraordinary.
The Return Flight
Following a safe landing, the objects were still present in the sky. The return trip to Blenheim was also punctuated by more sightings, with additional footage captured, further highlighting the persistent nature of the phenomenon.
Media Impact
The story of the Kaikoura lights quickly gained global coverage, becoming a major news story that garnered international interest. The footage was broadcast widely, fueling public fascination with the unexplained events.
Official Response
The New Zealand government investigated the reports thoroughly. Despite their investigation, they were unable to reach a definitive conclusion, confirming the radar data, labeling the objects unidentified, and essentially keeping the case open.
Bruce Maccabee’s Study
The physicist, Dr. Bruce Maccabee, meticulously examined the film and the associated data. He conclusively ruled out conventional explanations and identified genuine anomalies, publishing his detailed analysis and providing substantial scientific support for the existence of the unusual phenomena.
The Footage Today
Today, the footage is readily available online, serving as a historical document and primary evidence of the event. It continues to be studied and remains a valuable record of the unexplained observations made during the Kaikoura Lights incident.
Significance
The Kaikoura lights are significant due to the film evidence captured, the radar confirmation of the objects’ presence, the multiple witnesses – including experienced pilots – and the thorough scientific analysis conducted.
Legacy
The Kaikoura lights represent some of the most compelling UFO evidence ever captured on film. The combination of radar confirmation, experienced pilot witnesses, and extensive footage makes this case exceptionally difficult to dismiss, solidifying its place as a prominent and enduring mystery.
Sources
- Wikipedia search: “Kaikoura Lights New Zealand”
- CIA UFO/UAP Reading Room — Declassified CIA documents on UAP