At the time of his final flight, Frederick was an ambitious, healthy, hardworking, and optimistic young person. On the evening of Saturday October 21st, 1978, at 6:15 Fred Valentich left Moorabbin airport and headed west, crossing Port Philip Bay on the way to King Island. Fred’s flight started without incident. 

After about 6 minutes over the open water, just after 7pm, Fred called Steve on the radio and asked if there was “any known traffic below 5000 feet?”

The reply was “no known traffic.”

Fred confirmed that he was in an altitude of 4500 feet and crossing Bass Strait. Only 7 seconds after confirming he could not identify the “thing” Fred reported, “Melbourne, Delta Sierra Juliet, it is not an aircraft…it is…”

Almost immediately after stating his intentions Fred radioed, “Ah, Melbourne, that's strange aircraft is hovering on top of me again, it is hovering, and it's not an aircraft!” Steve, with all his experience, now had to try to help a junior pilot try to navigate through engine trouble over a body of water while avoiding an unknown aircraft as the sun is setting. I don't envy him. Before Steve had time to process all the data points and provide guidance, Fred radioed and said, “Delta Sierra Juliet, Melbourne…” but then stop talking mid-sentence.

All that can be heard is a chattering rattling metallic sound. It lasts for 17 seconds and then stops. Steve never heard anything quite like it in all his years of aviation. Steve tried repeatedly to reach Fred, but he was gone. Fred was never heard from again.

What happened to Fred Valentich?

We explore his case and that of the 2017 US Pentagon report citing unexplained flying objects over the US.

Sources:

Nothing On Radar: The Valentich Mystery: Simpson, George: 9798826817315: Amazon.com: Books. (n.d.). 

60 Minutes. (2021, May 17). Navy pilots describe encounters with UFOs [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBtMbBPzqHY

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This episode of The Dark Oak was created, researched, written, recorded, hosted, edited, published, and marketed by Cynthia and Stefanie of Just Us Gals Productions with artwork by Justyse Himes and Music by Ryan Creep