Expediente Número: 800329 / 31 — Avistamiento de Fenómenos Extraños (Zaragoza)

This document is an official investigation file (Expediente 800329/31) from the Spanish Air Force (Ejército del Aire) regarding a series of sightings that occurred between March 29 and March 31, 1980, in the vicinity of Zaragoza, Spain. The primary visual sighting was reported by the Colonel in charge of studies at the General Military Academy (Academia General Militar), who observed a bright, lemon-squeezer-shaped object for approximately 30 minutes between 21:45 and 22:15 local time. The object was described as very bright, golden, and stationary before disappearing abruptly. The Colonel was accompanied by several family members during the observation. Simultaneously, a GCA (Ground Controlled Approach) radar controller at the Zaragoza Air Base reported detecting a small primary radar echo moving slowly between 4 and 8 miles, which was observed for 2 to 3 minutes. The investigation file includes various official communications between the Ala 31 unit, the Air Force General Staff (MATRA), and the Third Air Region. The investigating officer, a Captain, highlighted significant ambiguities in the reports, particularly regarding the dates of the sightings and discrepancies between the visual accounts and the radar data. The final conclusion reached by the military authorities was that there was insufficient evidence to confirm the presence of an Unidentified Aerial Phenomenon (UFO). It was suggested that the visual sighting might have been a celestial body of high luminosity, and the radar echoes were likely caused by a light aircraft that was not in contact with air traffic control. The file was eventually declassified on November 22, 1995.