YORKSHIRE ALIEN ABDUCTION Britain’s
most plausible alien abduction happened off the East Yorkshire coast,
according to some UFOlogists. The
incident happened in September 1970. Foxtrot 94, an RAF Lightning
fighter jet crashed into the North Sea. UFOlogists
claim its pilot, Captain William Schaffner was abducted by an alien
spacecraft after he’d scrambled to intercept it off Flamborough
Head. WreckageThe
Lightning aircraft was recovered three months later from the seabed.
Remarkably, it was virtually undamaged. The
cockpit canopy was shut but there was no sign of Captain Schaffner’s
body. The
unusual condition of the wreckage fueled UFOlogists speculations
of an alien abduction. These
claims are the talk of UFO Internet sites, as are bogus transcripts
of the Captain’s last radio conversation with RAF Patrington. Family
trauma | Captain
William Schaffner |
Captain
William Schaffner was a 28-Year-old American exchange officer.
His
family were never told the results of the official inquiry into
the crash. The
Ministry of Defence has previously insisted that the report on the
crash was shredded. His
sons, Glenn and Mike Schaffner, have been trying to discover the
truth about their father’s disappearance for years. Their
efforts have not solved the mystery. Until now. Breakthrough Secret
documents and classified photographs of the RAF fighter have been
exclusively obtained from the Ministry of Defence by the BBC’s Inside
Out team. The
following will finally give the brothers the information they desire
and deserve: -
A copy of the inquiry report
- A
transcript
of the Captain's final conversation with ground controllers
- Pictures
showing the aircraft’s empty cockpit
The
inquiry report makes the following points: - It
was not a UFO but a slow moving Shackleton recconaissance aircraft
that the Captain was trying to intercept on an exercise
- Its
crew had lost radio contact. Then, by the light of a flare,
they’d seen the aircraft in the water.
- The
Captain had simply flown too low trying to get beneath his target
and hit the sea.
- Captain
Schaffner had not been properly trained to carry out the exercise
he had been asked to undertake.
- When
he tried to bail out, his ejector seat failed to operate.
Accident | Wreckage
is hauled from the North Sea |
These
points appears
to suggest that the crash was an unfortunate accident with a plausible
explanation. This
should destroy some of the alien abduction rumours, which have angered
and upset Captain Schaffner’s sons for years OppositionA few
budding UFOlogists may still not accept this explanation, due to
distrust of the Ministry of Defence documentation. Former
North Yorkshire policeman Tony Dodd told Inside Out, "I don’t think
that we will ever get to the bottom of what happened because the
RAF would never accept that a UFO could be involved." Reporter
Sophie Hull said, "Some aspects of Capt. Schaffner’s disappearance
can’t be explained. "But
we believe this is as close to a detailed explanation of what actually
happened that anyone will get." It
appears to be enough for Captain Schaffner’s sons. They
can now concentrate on enjoying their father's memory in peace. The last conversationTranscript
of tape recording at RAF Patrington concerning incident to Mission
CPM45 at 20:45 Hours on the 8th September 1970. - Fighter
Controller:
- Time check 20:30
- Capt.
Schaffner’s Wingman:
- 52
- Fighter
Controller:
- Is
the target heading about 250° again?
- Capt.
Schaffner’s Wingman:
- Affirmative
but I shall not have enough fuel to accompany to land if he
does cross territorial waters.
- Fighter
Controller:
- Roger 52.
- Fighter
Controller:
- Assistant
controller please - will you tell him that his fighter 45 is
airborne at 20:30. I think that’s him there.
- Cont
/ Asst:
- 20:30? Yes - OK thank you.
- Capt.
Schaffner’s Wingman:
- 52
check about 45 miles from point alpha?
- Fighter
Controller:
- 52
that’s affirmative and 45 is south of you at this time range
35 not on channel yet.
- Capt.
Schaffner’s Wingman:
- Roger.
- Fighter
Controller:
- 52
on this heading Flamborough Head is dead ahead of you, range
20 miles.
- Capt.
Schaffner’s Wingman:
- 52.
- Fighter
Controller:
- 52
is the target still at 1500 feet?
- Capt.
Schaffner’s Wingman:
- Affirmative.
- Fighter
Controller:
- Roger.
- Capt.
Schaffner:
- Mission
45 airborne at one zero zero.
- Fighter
Controller:
- Roger
45 Patrington port 335 over.
- Capt.
Schaffner:
- Roger
understood on a port turn 335 a heading of 100.
- Fighter
Controller:
- Roger
45 have you weapon contact and the target is north-west of you
range 35 at this time and his height is at 1500 feet.
- Capt.
Schaffner:
- Roger
45 copied - level 100 until close.
- Fighter
Controller:
- 45.
- Fighter
Controller:
- 45
the OHH is 986 - 52 is with the target at this time shadowing
and your task will be to take over from 52.
- Capt.
Schaffner:
- Roger.
- Fighter
Controller:
- Buster
buster target range 28.
- Capt.
Schaffner:
- Roger buster
- Capt.
Schaffner:
- Target heading?
- Fighter
Controller:
- 45
the last target heading was 250. 52 Patrington confirm target
heading?
- Capt.
Schaffner’s Wingman:
- 52
affirmative and the target speed I estimate at no faster than
160 knots.
- Fighter
Controller:
- Roger
- did you get that 45?
- Capt.
Schaffner:
- Got it.
- Fighter
Controller:
- Roger.
- Fighter
Controller:
- 45
on 335 target is 10 right to you range 21.
- Capt.
Schaffner:
- Roger descending.
- Fighter
Controller:
- Roger 45.
- Capt.
Schaffner:
- 45 will descend to five.
- Fighter
Controller:
- Roger.
- Fighter
Controller:
- 45
target is holding at 10 to 15 left and the range 17½.
- Capt.
Schaffner:
- Roger looking.
- Fighter
Controller:
- 45
one instruction was if the aircraft crosses the International
Boundary Line he is to be ordered to follow you back to Binbrook.
- Capt.
Schaffner:
- Roger.
- Fighter
Controller:
- 45
the target is now 35 left range 13½.
- Capt.
Schaffner:
- 45 roger at 5,000.
- Capt.
Schaffner:
- 45
is armament safety check complete.
- Fighter
Controller:
- 45 say again.
- Capt.
Schaffner:
- 45 is armed safe.
- Fighter
Controller:
- Roger 45.
- Fighter
Controller:
- 45
the target has moved 45 left range 10.
- Capt.
Schaffner:
- Roger.
- Fighter
Controller:
- 45 Port 310 over.
- Capt.
Schaffner:
- Roger Port 310.
- Capt.
Schaffner:
- 52 check height.
- Capt.
Schaffner’s Wingman:
- 52
is at 1,500 feet with the target at 2,00 yards.
- Capt.
Schaffner:
- Roger.
- Fighter
Controller:
- 45
make speed decimal 95 over.
- Capt.
Schaffner:
- 45
roger? That’s pretty fast.
- Fighter
Controller:
- Roger
45 make it a speed commensurate with your endurance then, that
target range 10 at this moment. I think we’ve got enough to
catch up at this peed, he’s only 160 kts.
- Capt.
Schaffner:
- Roger.
- Capt.
Schaffner’s Wingman:
- 52
be leaving the target in about 2 minutes.
- Fighter
Controller:
- Roger 52 understood.
- Capt.
Schaffner:
- 45’s now at 2,000.
- Fighter
Controller:
- Roger 45.
- Fighter
Controller:
- 52
your pigeons to alpha 200 range 32.
- Capt.
Schaffner’s Wingman:
- 200
32 copied.
- Fighter
Controller:
- 45
on 310 targets at 40 left, range 7½.
- Capt.
Schaffner:
- Roger.
- Fighter
Controller:
- 45
be advised the targets about 12 miles off Flamborough Head on
his present heading.
- Capt.
Schaffner:
- Roger.
- Fighter
Controller:
- 45 port 250 over.
- Capt.
Schaffner:
- Roger turning port 250.
- Fighter
Controller:
- 45
target range 6½ - 7.
- Capt.
Schaffner:
- Contact
with a set of lights in that area.
- Fighter
Controller:
- Say again.
- Capt.
Schaffner:
- Set
of lights in that area - closing.
- Fighter
Controller:
- Roger.
- Capt.
Schaffner’s Wingman:
- 52
I’ve got my probe light on now.
- Capt.
Schaffner:
- Roger.
- Fighter
Controller:
- 45
12 o’ clock range 5 - 5½.
- Capt.
Schaffner:
- Roger.
- Fighter
Controller:
- The
target speed 160 kts.
- Capt.
Schaffner:
- 45.
- Fighter
Controller:
- 52
you’ll be approaching my clutter in another 10 to 30 secs could
you keep a look out for strangers all round.
- Capt.
Schaffner’s Wingman:
- Wilco.
- Fighter
Controller:
- 45
closing nicely now 12 o’clock 4½ to 5.
- Capt.
Schaffner:
- 45.
- Fighter
Controller:
- 45
call when in firm contact with target then we can commence recovery
for 52.
- Capt.
Schaffner:
- Roger still looking.
- Fighter
Controller:
- Roger.
- Capt.
Schaffner’s Wingman:
- Target
still at 1,500 feet heading 255.
- Capt.
Schaffner:
- Roger
45 - I’m slowing down I’ll be weaving and then I’ve got 2 one
white and one red flashing.
- Fighter
Controller:
- 45
I’m beginning to lose you on the R/T now say again.
- Capt.
Schaffner:
- Roger
45 has contact with 2 aircraft.
- Fighter
Controller:
- That’s
affirmative 52 is with the target as well.
- Capt.
Schaffner:
- Roger
hang on one I’m going to have to do some manoeuvring to slow
down her a little bit.
- Fighter
Controller:
- Roger
and a reminder that Flamborough Head is 12 o’clock and the target
range 7½ to 8 miles.
- Capt.
Schaffner:
- Roger
and 45 as soon as I get all thing speed burned off 52 is clear
to depart.
- Fighter
Controller:
- 52 did you get that.
- Capt.
Schaffner’s Wingman:
- 52
affirmative.
- Fighter
Controller:
- Roger
52 your pigeons to alpha this time 190 range 28.
- Capt.
Schaffner’s Wingman:
- 52.
- Capt.
Schaffner:
- Okay
52 I got it, I’ll turn port and you’re clear to port too.
- Capt.
Schaffner’s Wingman:
- 52
Roger. I know you know but do you remember about the flaps down.
- Capt.
Schaffner:
- I got 'em down Babe.
- Capt.
Schaffner’s Wingman:
- Roger
45. Patrington 52 turning port this time.
- Fighter
Controller:
- Roger
52 make your heading now. 170 keep you clear of the coast line.
- Capt.
Schaffner Wingman:
- Roger
and it looks like the target might be turning port also.
- Fighter
Controller:
- Roger 52
- Fighter
Controller:
- 45 get that?
- Capt.
Schaffner:
- Roger
I’ll be over the top of both of you.
- Fighter
Controller:
- 45
your in a clutter area of mine at the moment - keep a sharp
look out please.
- Capt.
Schaffner:
- Roger
I’m watching em.
- Fighter
Controller:
- Keep
a close look out for Flamborough Head it’s about range 6½ now.
- Capt.
Schaffner:
- Roger.
- Fighter
Controller:
- 45
Patrington changing controllers.
- Capt.
Schaffner:
- Roger.
- Capt.
Schaffner:
- 45
the target looks like he’s heading about 180.
- Fighter
Controller:
- Roger.
- Fighter
Controller:
- 45
estimated range from the coast now 5 miles - if he comes within
3 miles he is to be escorted to Binbrook.
- Capt.
Schaffner:
- Roger.
- Capt.
Schaffner Wingman:
- 52
steady 180 - 5,000 ft for recovery.
- Fighter
Controller:
- 52
Northern Radar have you contact would you squawk ident and call
them on stud 4 - if no joy back to me.
- Fighter
Controller:
- 45
Patrington amendment to previous instruction - if target aircraft
approaches within 3 miles of the UK coast line he is to be directed
to land at Waddington - I say again - directed to land at Waddington.
- Fighter
Controller:
- 45
Patrington be advised you’re dark to me at this time.
- Fighter
Controller:
- 45
Patrington you are dark to me this time - check target’s heading
and your own over.
- Fighter
Controller:
- 45
Patrington nothing heard.
- Fighter
Controller:
- C45
C45 Patrington do you read over.
- Fighter
Controller:
- C45
C45 Patrington - over.
- Fighter
Controller:
- 45
Patrington do you read.
- Fighter
Controller:
- 45
Patrington nothing heard.
- Fighter
Controller:
- 45
Patrington if you read me your standby channel fighter stud
30 - call Bawdsey fighter stud 30 - over.
- Fighter
Controller:
- 45
Patrington still nothing heard if you’re this frequency would
you call Bawdsey fighter stud 5 or 30 fighter stud 30 call Bawdsey.
Background
noise ceases on this tape and the remaining 16 minutes of tape bear
no recording. |