The Phoenix Lights incident of 1997 stands as one of the most significant and widely observed UFO sightings in modern history. On the night of March 13, 1997, thousands of people across Arizona witnessed an extraordinary phenomenon that has since become one of the most well-documented and controversial UFO sightings in history. The event, which spanned over several hours and covered a vast area of nearly 300 miles, was characterized by a series of mysterious lights forming a V-shaped pattern that moved silently across the sky. The incident was so compelling that it has continued to captivate both skeptics and believers, inspiring numerous documentaries, books, and ongoing debates. Despite official explanations from the military, the event has left an indelible mark on the collective consciousness of those who witnessed it and those who continue to study it.

INCIDENT SUMMARY

On the evening of March 13, 1997, an unusual series of lights appeared in the skies over Arizona. Beginning around 7:30 PM and lasting until approximately 10:30 PM MST, the phenomenon was witnessed by thousands of people, from the Nevada state line, through Phoenix, and deep into the Sonoran Desert. The lights were arranged in a V-shaped formation, leading many witnesses to describe them as being part of a single, massive craft that moved silently and slowly across the sky.

This craft was reported to be so large that it blocked out the stars as it passed overhead. Witnesses from various locations across the state described similar experiences, noting the eerie silence and the slow, deliberate movement of the lights. Despite the military’s later explanation attributing the lights to flares dropped during a training exercise, the sheer number of witnesses and the consistency of their descriptions suggest that something far more extraordinary occurred that night.

DETAILS

  • LOCATION: Arizona, USA
  • DATE: March 13, 1997
  • TIME: 7:30 PM to 10:30 PM MST
  • EVENT DURATION: Approximately 3 hours
  • NUMBER OF OBJECTS: Multiple (varied reports from 5 to 10)
  • OBJECT(S) SHAPE: V-shaped formation of lights, some reports of a boomerang-shaped or triangular craft
  • DESCRIPTION OF THE OBJECT(S): Witnesses described a large, silent object moving slowly across the sky, blocking out stars as it passed. The object was reported to have five to seven lights along its leading edge, glowing in a soft, amber hue. Some reports also mentioned the object being as large as 1 to 2 miles wide.
  • ALIEN(S) ENCOUNTERED: None reported
  • DESCRIPTION OF ALIEN(S): Not applicable
  • CE CLASSIFICATION: CE1 (Close Encounter of the First Kind)
  • Sightings of one or more unidentified flying objects that do not interact with the observer or the environment.

WITNESSES

The Phoenix Lights incident is particularly notable for the sheer number of witnesses and the credibility of many who came forward with their accounts. Here are a few of the most prominent:

  • MITCH STANFORD: A truck driver who reported seeing the lights while driving on Interstate 10 near Casa Grande, Arizona.
  • TIM LEHNERER: A police officer in the Phoenix area who saw the lights and reported them to his colleagues.
  • TERRY “TOM” THURSTON: A resident of Phoenix who filmed the lights from his backyard, contributing to the visual evidence of the event.
  • DR. LYNNE KITEI: A Phoenix resident and physician who witnessed the lights and later produced a documentary titled The Phoenix Lights.
  • FRANCES BARWOOD: At the time of the incident, Frances Barwood was serving as a Phoenix city councilwoman. Disturbed by the lack of official investigation into the event, she became one of the first public officials to call for an inquiry into the Phoenix Lights. Barwood received over 700 reports from residents describing their experiences, many of whom felt that the event had not been properly explained by the authorities. Her advocacy played a crucial role in keeping the incident in the public eye.
  • FIFE SYMINGTON: The governor of Arizona during the time of the incident, Symington initially treated the event lightly, even staging a mock press conference where an aide dressed as an alien. However, in a 2007 interview, Symington admitted that he had also witnessed the lights that night and believed them to be otherworldly. His admission, years after leaving office, further fueled speculation and interest in the Phoenix Lights.

CONCLUSION

The Phoenix Lights incident remains one of the most compelling and unresolved UFO sightings in history. Despite the U.S. Air Force’s official explanation that the lights were flares dropped by A-10 Warthog aircraft during a training exercise at the Barry Goldwater Range, many people, including those with extensive aviation experience, remain skeptical. The consistency of witness accounts, the widespread nature of the sightings, and the descriptions of a massive, silent craft suggest that something far more mysterious occurred that night. The Phoenix Lights have since become a benchmark for UFO sightings, leading to continued debate, research, and fascination. Whether the phenomenon was an advanced military project, an atmospheric anomaly, or something otherworldly, the truth behind the Phoenix Lights continues to elude us, maintaining its place in the annals of UFO history.