The Levelland Sightings
One November night in Texas, drivers reported a glowing egg-shaped light crossing the road, and their engines and headlights died as it passed.
What was reported
Over a few hours on the night of 2 to 3 November 1957, the police in Levelland, Texas, received a string of calls from drivers on roads around the town. They described a large, glowing, egg-shaped object that flew low over the road or sat on it, and said their car engines and headlights failed as it came near, then worked again when it left.
The local sheriff and other officers also reported seeing a bright light. It happened during a wave of sightings across the United States, days after the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 2.
Explanations offered
The US Air Force's Project Blue Book concluded the witnesses had seen ball lightning or a similar electrical storm effect, and that wet weather caused the car problems. Critics pointed out that the night was not stormy, and that cars stalling in this way is hard to explain.
- When
- 2–3 November 1957
- Where
- Levelland, Texas, USA
- Witnesses
- Drivers, police officers and a fire marshal
- Status
- Disputed
Famous cases are real, widely reported events. Each file sets out what witnesses said and the explanations that have been offered, without taking a side.