Japan Airlines Flight 1628 (1986)
In November 1986, over Alaska, the crew of a JAL Boeing 747 cargo jet was shadowed for nearly an hour by huge luminous objects, including a gigantic "mothership." Air traffic control and a military radar confirmed returns. The FAA investigator was reportedly told to keep quiet.
Witnesses
JAL crew, radar
Why it endures
A professional flight crew, radar confirmation, and a suppressed official inquiry.
Official version (contested)
The FAA first confirmed the incident, then backtracked ("radar clutter"). Disputed.