Top 10 Most Credible UFO Cases

The following is a preliminary list, created with AI assistance, to identify credible UFO cases for deeper research. This list is not final; I will investigate these and other cases to ultimately assemble a definitive top 10 (if possible).

30 Dec 2025: initial post
31 Dec 2025: Maury Island Incident is a long-known hoax! AI failed on this.

1. USS Nimitz Encounter (2004 - "Tic Tac" UFO)

• Credibility Level: 5.0/5.0


• What Happened: Multiple Navy pilots encountered a white, Tic Tac-shaped object off the coast of California. It demonstrated instantaneous acceleration, no visible propulsion and erratic flight paths. Radar operators on the USS Princeton tracked it descending from 80,000 ft to sea level in seconds.


• Evidence: Military video, radar data, pilot testimony, corroborated reports and recent acknowledgment by Pentagon.


• Witnesses: Cmdr. David Fravor, Lt. Alex Dietrich


• Why It's #1: Official military engagement, visual + radar + sensor confirmation, and corroborated by multiple sources.

2. Rendlesham Forest Incident (1980, UK)

• Credibility Level: 4.5/5.0


• What Happened: U.S. Air Force personnel stationed at RAF Woodbridge observed strange lights, a metallic craft, and even recorded it on Geiger counters and memos.


• Evidence: Audio recordings during the event, physical impressions on ground, government memo by Lt. Col. Charles Halt.


• Why It's #2: High-ranking military witnesses, physical and documented evidence, no clear prosaic explanation.

3. Belgian UFO Wave (1989-1990)

• Credibility Level: 4.5


• What Happened: Hundreds reported low-flying, silent triangular craft. Tracked by Belgian Air Force on radar, chased by F-16 jets.


• Evidence: Radar returns, visual sightings, government response. Civilian and military data aligned.


• Why It's #3: Rare fusion of mass civilian and military corroboration, no debunking consensus.

4. Phoenix Lights (1997, Arizona)

• Credibility Level: 4.0


• What Happened: A V-shaped craft with lights was seen silently gliding over Phoenix. Eyewitnesses included police officers, pilots and Arizona's governor.


• Evidence: Thousands of eyewitnesses, video and later official acknowledgment.


• Why It Ranks High: Enormous scale and reliable witness pool; remains unexplained.

5. Japan Airlines Flight 1628 (1986)

• Credibility Level: 4.0


• What Happened: A cargo jet crew saw a massive, walnut-shaped object over Alaska. It was tracked on FAA radar for 50 minutes.


• Evidence: FAA radar data, pilot testimony, internal FAA investigation.


• Why It's Compelling: Long duration and radar backing, and pilot was a senior captain.

6. Shag Harbor Incident (1967, Canada)

• Credibility Level: 3.5


• What Happened: Witnesses saw a UFO crash into the ocean. Canadian military conducted a search operation believing it to be an aircraft.


• Evidence: Government documents, RCMP involvement, witness statements.


• Why It's Unique: Underwater recovery operation makes it stand out.

7. Maury Island Incident (1947): HOAX. To remove soon

• Credibility Level: 3.0


• What Happened: Harold Dahl reported six very large doughnut-shaped aircraft. A mysterious "man in black" later visited him. Two investigators later died in a crash. (See also: Fred Crisman)


• Evidence: Debatable - some claim hoax, others suggest cover-up.


• Why It's Here: It was investigated before Roswell and connected to the origins of the "Men in Black" legend.

8. Chicago O'Hare UFO (2006)

• Credibility Level: 3.0


• What Happened: United Airlines employees saw a metallic disc hovering over Gate C17, then it shot upward through the clouds at incredible speed.


• Evidence: FAA denied at first, then later admitted radar picked up something unusual. Dozens of employee witnesses.


• Why It Counts: Airport setting, aviation professionals as witnesses and public pressure forced FAA acknowledgment.

9. Malmstrom AFB Missile Shutdown (1967)

• Credibility Level: 3.0


• What Happened: Ten nuclear missiles went offline simultaneously as a UFO was spotted hovering above the base.


• Evidence: Testimony from Air Force personnel (including Robert Salas), declassified documents.


• Why It Matters: Suggests intelligence capable of disabling nuclear tech-national security implications.

10. David Grusch Whistleblower Testimony (2023-2025)

• Credibility Level: 3.0


• What Happened: Former intelligence official testified under oath that the U.S. has recovered craft and "non-human biologics."


• Evidence: Congressional hearings, Inspector General filings (not just hearsay) he was in charge of UAP tasking.


• Why It's Controversial: No physical evidence shown (yet) but may age into #1 if documents and craft are verified.