In March 1958, the Panama Canal Zone became the focal point of an unusual sequence of radar and pilot encounters. U.S. Air Force and Army anti-aircraft personnel, using multiple radar installations, tracked unidentified flying objects displaying speeds and maneuvers outside the range of conventional aircraft.
The series of official reports captures a rare alignment: simultaneous visual sightings, radar locks, and rapid evasive actions by the unknowns.
📡 Multiple Radars, Multiple Targets
On the nights of March 9–10, search and tracking radar in the Canal Zone picked up unexplained targets. According to a report by Capt. Vernon D. Adams, USAF,
“A number of unidentified radar tracks were observed 9–10 March 1958 by search and tracking radar located in the Canal Zone. Two tracks were investigated by aircraft with negative results.”
Notably, these returns were described as strong, easily distinguished from clouds, and at times displayed erratic, even evasive, movement.
“Returns were definite when associated with clouds. Generally the tracks were triangular with speed or movement very erratic. Movement appears at times to be evading action.”
Despite scramble attempts, aircraft sent to intercept the targets could not locate them visually.
🚨 Radar and Lights: A Coordinated Response
At 2003R on March 9, 1958, anti-aircraft operations received a radar report of an unidentified aircraft.
“During the radar tracking of the first blip… two additional blips were observed at 2045R.”
Searchlights were directed at the radar targets.
“When the light touched the objects, they traveled from an altitude of two thousand feet to ten thousand feet in five to ten seconds.”
Track radar locked onto two solid targets.
“As Track Radar can only be locked on a solid object, which was done in the case of the two unidentified flying objects, it was assumed that the objects were solid.”
Attempts to explain the returns as weather balloons were dismissed after confirmation from the Air Force that no balloons were present.
✈️ Aircraft Encounters and Pilot Reports
U.S. Air Force jets, including a T-33 from Howard Field, were sent to intercept. The results were the same:
“Negative results. Aircraft was in the immediate area of target with negative sighting.”
A Pan American DC-6 pilot also reported a sighting:
“The object appeared larger than the aircraft and was traveling in a southeasterly direction.”
Ground radar meanwhile continued to plot the objects as they changed position, sometimes hovering, then accelerating to speeds up to a thousand miles per hour as jets approached.
📝 Unidentified and Unresolved
Radar logs describe the targets slowing to a complete stop, then moving again, sometimes at high speeds.
“Blip very practical, has reached speed of 900 [knots]; then slows to a complete stop for several minutes before moving again.”
Investigations were thorough, involving multiple radar sites, commercial pilots, and military aircrews. Despite all efforts,
“No positive identification was ever made of the objects.”
The events were documented in classified supplements and intelligence forms, with a clear consensus.
the objects tracked and occasionally seen over Panama in March 1958 remain unexplained.
