Event Overview
On March 13, 1997, thousands of Arizona residents witnessed what became known as the Phoenix Lights - actually two distinct events involving unidentified aerial phenomena. The sightings sparked immediate controversy, military explanations, and eventual admission by state officials of a genuine mystery.
Event One: The V-Shaped Craft (20:00-20:30)
Flight Path
Origin: Henderson, Nevada area (~19:55) Route:
- Paulden, AZ (20:15)
- Prescott Valley (20:17)
- Phoenix Metro Area (20:20-20:30)
- Tucson vicinity (20:45) Terminus: Mexican border region
Witness Descriptions
Common Features:
- V-shaped or boomerang configuration
- Size estimates: 1-2 miles wide
- Silent or low hum
- Blocking out stars
- 5-7 lights along structure
- Speed: 30-40 mph
- Altitude: 100-6,000 feet (varying reports)
Notable Witnesses
Tim Ley Family (First major sighting):
“It was so big that we couldn’t see the ends of it. It was like a 747 but 20 times bigger.”
Prescott Witnesses:
- Multiple calls to police
- Airport tower confirmation
- No radar returns
Phoenix Witnesses:
- Thousands of independent reports
- Multiple videos/photographs
- Consistent descriptions
Pilot Reports
Commercial Pilot (America West):
- Reported to Sky Harbor Tower
- Described massive V-shape
- No transponder signal
- Visual only, no radar
Private Pilots:
- Several attempted intercepts
- Object appeared to accelerate away
- No heat signature visible
Event Two: The Orb Formation (22:00-22:30)
The Second Wave
Around 22:00, a series of stationary lights appeared over the Estrella Mountains:
- 5-9 amber/orange orbs
- Arc formation
- Stationary/slow-moving
- Visible for 5-10 minutes
- Filmed by multiple witnesses
Military Explanation
Official Statement: Maryland Air National Guard dropped flares during Operation Snowbird training
- LUU-2 illumination flares
- Dropped at 15,000 feet
- Standard training exercise
- Timing matches second event
Analysis and Controversy
The Flare Theory
Supporting Evidence:
- Military admission of flare drop
- Timing correlation
- Similar appearance to flares
Contradicting Evidence:
- Witnesses insist first event different
- V-craft reports 2 hours before flares
- Structure blocked stars
- Silent movement inconsistent
Video Analysis
Dr. Bruce Maccabee (Optical physicist):
- Analyzed multiple videos
- Confirmed lights were distant
- Could not determine if connected
- Flare hypothesis plausible for Event Two
Jim Dilettoso (Image analyst):
- Spectral analysis performed
- Claims lights not consistent with flares
- Methodology disputed by skeptics
Government Response
Initial Response
Luke Air Force Base:
- Denied any operations initially
- Later confirmed A-10 training
- No comment on first event
Governor Fife Symington:
- Initially mocked sightings
- Staff member in alien costume at press conference
- Ridiculed witness reports
The Governor’s Reversal
In 2007, Symington admitted:
“I saw a huge craft come right over Squaw Peak. It was dramatic. And it couldn’t have been flares because it was too symmetrical. It had a geometric outline, a constant shape.”
Key admissions:
- He was a witness himself
- Craft was “otherworldly”
- Covered up to prevent panic
- Apologized for mockery
Witness Categories
Law Enforcement
- Phoenix police officers
- Highway patrol
- Sheriff’s deputies
- Consistent professional reports
Medical Professionals
- ER physician Dr. Lynne Kitei
- Multiple healthcare workers
- Detailed observational skills
Aviation Personnel
- Commercial pilots
- Air traffic controllers
- Aviation mechanics
- Technical expertise
Civilians
- Thousands across economic spectrum
- Multiple family groups
- Independent correlating reports
Physical Characteristics Analysis
Size Calculations
Based on triangulation:
- Width: 0.5 to 1.5 miles
- Length: Similar to width
- Thickness: Unknown (dark silhouette)
- Comparison: Multiple football fields
Movement Patterns
- Straight line trajectory
- Constant altitude (per segment)
- No banking or turning
- Defied conventional aerodynamics
Acoustic Properties
Near-universal agreement:
- Silent or minimal sound
- Some report low frequency hum
- No engine noise
- No sonic boom despite size
Alternative Explanations Examined
Military Black Project
❌ Size exceeds known technology ❌ Flight over populated areas ❌ No security response
Formation of Aircraft
❌ No navigation lights ❌ Perfect formation maintenance ❌ Silent operation ❌ Radar invisible
Natural Phenomenon
❌ Structured appearance ❌ Controlled flight path ❌ Multiple location sightings ❌ Witness consistency
Mass Hysteria
❌ Physical video evidence ❌ Independent witness correlation ❌ Professional observer testimony ❌ Governor’s confirmation
Scientific Interest
Dr. Lynne Kitei’s Research
- Documented phenomenon for years
- Published comprehensive study
- Maintains evidence archive
- Advocates continued investigation
MUFON Investigation
- Largest case file in history
- 700+ witness interviews
- Technical analysis conducted
- Remains “Unknown”
Media Coverage
Local Response
- Initial serious coverage
- Shifted to mockery
- Later renewed interest
- Documentary productions
National Attention
- Network news coverage
- Talk show discussions
- Skeptic vs believer debates
- Pop culture integration
Long-term Impact
Policy Changes
- MUFON protocols updated
- Police reporting procedures
- Sky Harbor radar policies
- Military transparency discussions
Cultural Effect
- Annual commemoration events
- Tourism increase
- UFO consciousness raising
- Government trust issues
Current Status
Unresolved Questions
- What was the V-shaped craft?
- Why no radar detection?
- Purpose of overflight?
- Origin and destination?
- Technology involved?
Ongoing Research
- New witness interviews
- Enhanced video analysis
- Document declassification efforts
- Scientific methodology improvements
Conclusions
The Phoenix Lights represents:
- Largest mass UFO sighting in modern times
- Government credibility crisis and reversal
- Multiple phenomenon conflated
- Physical evidence with video/photo documentation
- Mainstream acceptance of unexplained event
Despite military flare explanations for the second event, the massive V-shaped craft witnessed by thousands, including the state governor, remains completely unexplained and stands as one of the most significant UFO events in history.
Report compiled from witness testimonies, official documents, video analysis, and public records. The Phoenix Lights continue to generate new revelations and research.