Mantell UFO case

<span class="SFPTagline"> From SCIFIPEDIA </span>

What is known as the Mantell Incident occurred on January 7, 1948, when Captain Thomas Mantell was in pursuit of a reported Unidentified Flying Object. This was approximately six-and-a-half months after the Kenneth Arnold sighting on June 24 of 1947, which led to the coining of the term flying saucer.

What makes the case particularly noteworthy (and tragic) is that Captain Mantell died while engaged in his duty. The fact that the death occurred after Mantell had spotted his objective and was attempting to close on the target is generally undisputed. The Air Force suggested that the pilot may have been pursuing the planet Venus (which can appear as a bright light in the sky) and, in doing so, rose to a height that was not viable without on-board oxygen.

Others have expressed a belief that his F-51 Mustang was damaged (intentionally or not) by the object he pursued.

The event inspired the episode "Tomorrow Is Yesterday" of the original Star Trek series.