Colombian Pilot Blinded by UFO: The Shocking Ojeda Encounter of 1977" | True Paranormal Incidents
On a fateful morning in May 1977, what began as a routine training flight for Manuel Jose Lopez Ojetta turned into one of aviation's most extraordinary UFO encounters. The young Colombian pilot with less than 40 hours of flight experience took his Cessna 150 into the skies near Bogota for standard maneuver practice. Under clear blue skies, everything proceeded normally until approximately 10:00 a.m., when Ojetta's aircraft began to violently vibrate during a left turn.
What followed was a harrowing ordeal as Ojetta observed a dark oval object with intense yellowish and red lights positioned beneath his aircraft. The UFO never made physical contact, but Ojetta reported losing control of his plane, experiencing physical discomfort, and eventually losing his vision when the object moved in front of his aircraft. What ensued was a remarkable rescue operation dubbed "Operation Lazarillo," where four instructor planes coordinated to guide the effectively blind pilot back to safety through verbal instructions, culminating in a successful landing that captivated radio listeners and onlookers alike.
Key Takeaways
A Colombian pilot encountered an oval-shaped UFO that caused his aircraft to malfunction and temporarily blinded him mid-flight.
The mysterious object with red and yellow lights never made contact with the plane but appeared to take control of the aircraft's systems.
A coordinated rescue effort guided the vision-impaired pilot safely back to the airport after multiple challenging landing attempts.
Pilot's Extraordinary Aerial Encounter
Manuel Lopez's UFO Experience
On May 5, 1977, a routine training flight transformed into an unprecedented aerial incident when a young Colombian pilot encountered an unidentified flying object. At approximately 9:15 AM, Manuel Lopez, who had less than 40 hours of flight experience, took off in his Cessna 150 from Guamal airport to practice standard maneuvers.
The morning began normally with Lopez completing two traffic pattern approaches before proceeding to Zone One, a designated practice area between the villages of Tabo and Cota. The conditions were ideal—sunny skies and good visibility—as he practiced slow flights and various turning maneuvers.
Around 10:00 AM, while executing a left turn, Lopez noticed his aircraft began vibrating intensely. The situation quickly deteriorated as his instruments displayed zero readings and the aircraft became unresponsive to his controls. As he searched for an emergency landing site, he observed an oval-shaped object with striking characteristics:
Approximately 15-20 meters in diameter
Dark, cloud-like color with intense yellowish and red phosphorescent lights
Aluminum-like appearance with 3-meter thickness
Flashing red and yellow lamp at its center
Capable of quick, straight movements, even in zigzag patterns
The object positioned itself below Lopez's aircraft, causing even more violent vibrations. "It was as if it were controlled by someone else," Lopez reported, noting he experienced strong pressure in his head and ears accompanied by itching sensations throughout his body. His radio communications with Guamal tower failed for several minutes.
The most alarming development occurred when the UFO moved directly in front of his plane, causing Lopez to rapidly lose his vision. Everything appeared cloudy, and though he momentarily regained partial sight, he soon found himself effectively blind while still in flight.
Four instructor aircraft were promptly dispatched in what became known as "Operation Lazarillo," an emergency response to guide the incapacitated pilot back to safety. All flights at El Dorado airport were suspended as the rescue mission unfolded. The instructors established radio contact with Lopez, who described being in a dazed state where "he didn't even know his own name."
The rescue team attempted four landing approaches at El Dorado, with Lopez nearly colliding with the control tower twice. Through persistent guidance and careful instructions, they coached him:
"Slowly bend to the left... slowly... sway right... same side as the door..."
Fortunately, Lopez eventually regained minimal vision—describing it as "looking through thick fog"—which allowed him to follow the instructor's aircraft. After 55 nerve-wracking minutes, he managed a successful landing, bringing the extraordinary incident to a close.
The event drew hundreds of onlookers to the airport terminal and thousands more followed the dramatic rescue via live radio broadcasts, all witnessing the conclusion of one of aviation's most unusual encounters.
Flight Operations
Aeronautical Exercises in Training Area
On May 5, 1977, at approximately 9:15 a.m., pilot Manuel Jose Lopez Ojetta took off in a Cessna 150 aircraft (registry number HK1164) from Gamal airport in Colombia. As a novice pilot with less than 40 flight hours of experience, Ojetta planned to practice landing exercises followed by standard flight maneuvers.
After completing two traffic pattern approaches, Ojetta proceeded to the designated training area known as Zone One, located between the villages of Tayo Chiaia and Kota, near an 8,500-foot mountain range north of Bogota. This area was specifically designated by aeronautical authorities for practice maneuvers.
The conditions were ideal that morning—sunny and clear. Around 10:00 a.m., Ojetta began executing a series of standard training exercises:
Slow flight maneuvers
Power-on and power-off stalls
Gentle turns
Tight turns in both directions
During a left turn, Ojetta's aircraft began experiencing intense vibrations. All instrumentation suddenly displayed zero readings, and the controls became unresponsive. Simultaneously, he observed an oval-shaped object with yellowish and red phosphorescent lights hovering near his aircraft. The object, described as "like an aluminum mass" approximately 15-20 meters in diameter and 3 meters thick, positioned itself beneath his landing gear without making contact.
Ojetta reported several physical symptoms during this encounter:
Pressure in his head and ears
Itching in his hands and body
Temporary loss of radio communication
When the object moved to the front of his aircraft, Ojetta experienced progressive vision loss. Despite his blindness, his Cessna continued flying in a circular pattern at a consistent altitude. The control towers at Gamal and El Dorado suspended all flights and launched "Operation Lazarillo," dispatching four training aircraft with experienced flight instructors to guide the incapacitated pilot.
The rescue team established radio contact and provided verbal guidance as Ojetta made several approach attempts at El Dorado airport. After approximately 55 minutes and multiple close calls with the control tower, Ojetta regained partial vision—describing it as "looking through thick fog"—and successfully landed his aircraft with the instructors' assistance.
UFO Encounter Impact
Equipment Failure and Physical Reactions
On May 5, 1977, a significant aerial incident occurred when Manuel Jose Lopez Ojetta experienced a UFO encounter during a routine training flight. Flying a Cessna 150 airplane near Bogota, Colombia, Ojetta was practicing standard maneuvers when his aircraft began to vibrate intensely around 10:00 a.m. All instruments suddenly displayed zero readings, including the tachometer and airspeed indicator.
The young pilot, who had less than 40 hours of flight experience, observed an oval object approximately 15-20 meters in diameter hovering near his aircraft. This object featured intense yellowish and red phosphorescent lights and resembled "an aluminum mass" with a thickness of about 3 meters. The UFO exhibited quick, straight movements, occasionally moving in zigzag patterns without making direct contact with the Cessna.
During the encounter, Ojetta experienced several physical symptoms:
Strong pressure in his ears and head
Itching sensations on his hands and body
Radio communication failure for several minutes
Despite these distressing developments, Ojetta remained conscious and aware of his surroundings throughout the event. The aircraft continued to fly in a circular pattern at consistent altitude despite the complete instrument failure.
Navigation Interference and Vision Complications
The situation deteriorated when the UFO positioned itself directly in front of the aircraft. Ojetta suddenly began losing his vision, describing everything as becoming cloudy. The landscape below appeared to transform into what looked like a desert and mountainous zone as the aircraft continued circling.
After the mysterious object disappeared, Ojetta was left essentially blind. Colombian aviation authorities implemented an emergency response they called "Operation Lazarillo," involving four instructor-piloted aircraft. These experienced pilots worked to guide the visually impaired pilot back to safety while all flights at El Dorado airport were suspended.
The rescue operation faced significant challenges:
Ojetta struggled to follow directional commands
He reported being in a daze, comparable to a "drunken stupor"
The aircraft nearly collided with the control tower on two approaches
Communication records reveal the instructors providing detailed guidance: "Slowly bend to the left... slowly... sway right... same side as the door." After multiple aborted landing attempts and 55 minutes of tension, Ojetta fortunately regained minimal vision—describing it as "looking through thick fog" or "at shadows"—enough to follow an instructor's aircraft ahead of him.
With continued verbal guidance from the support team, Ojetta finally executed a successful landing, bringing the extraordinary incident to a conclusion. The event drew significant public attention, with hundreds of onlookers gathered at the airport and thousands following the situation via live radio broadcasts.
Emergency Response Procedures
Air Traffic Control and Ground Support
When Manuel Jose Lopez Ojetta lost sight due to his encounter with an unidentified aerial object, a coordinated emergency response quickly formed. All flights at El Dorado Airport were immediately suspended to prioritize the crisis. The control towers at El Dorado and Guamal became centers of activity, with aeronautical authorities and Ojetta's colleagues working frantically to resolve the situation. Four instructor-piloted aircraft were dispatched to assist the blinded pilot, who was circling at approximately 1,500 feet altitude near Guamal.
The ground crews prepared for worst-case scenarios, positioning fire engines strategically along Runway One and at each taxiway. These emergency vehicles stood ready to follow the aircraft's trajectory upon landing. Meanwhile, hundreds of onlookers gathered at the airport terminal to witness the unfolding events, while thousands more followed the incident through live radio broadcasts.
Project Guide Dog Implementation
The instructors quickly initiated an improvised rescue operation they called "Operation Lazarillo" (similar to a guide dog concept). This emergency protocol involved four experienced flight instructors carefully directing the visually impaired pilot back to the airport. The instructors maintained constant radio communication with Ojetta, who was disoriented to the point where he reportedly couldn't recall his own name.
The rescue operation faced significant challenges:
Multiple approach attempts: At least four landing approaches were made over El Dorado Airport
Navigation issues: Ojetta nearly collided with the control tower twice
Communication difficulties: Instructors had to provide extremely basic directional guidance
One instructor flew extremely close to Ojetta's aircraft, allowing the partially blinded pilot to follow his aircraft's silhouette. The instructors used simple, repetitive commands:
"Slowly bend to the left... slowly... slowly... sway left... the other side is left... sway right... same side as the door..."
After nearly an hour of careful guidance (approximately 55 minutes), Ojetta regained minimal visibility—describing it as "looking through thick fog" or seeing shadows—which, combined with the instructors' meticulous guidance, allowed him to execute a remarkably successful landing despite the extraordinary circumstances.
Rescue Mission
Guidance for Safety
On May 5, 1977, at approximately 10:00 a.m., pilot Manuel Jose Lopez Ojetta encountered a severe crisis during what had begun as a routine training flight. While practicing maneuvers in Zone One near the Villages of Tayo and Kota, his Cessna 150 began vibrating intensely after a left turn. All instruments displayed zero readings, and Ojetta lost control of the aircraft. At this moment, he spotted an oval object with yellowish and red phosphorescent lights hovering nearby.
The situation deteriorated when the UFO positioned itself directly beneath his landing gear. Ojetta experienced physical symptoms including pressure in his head, ear discomfort, and skin irritation. Most alarmingly, the craft moved to the front of his plane, causing his vision to become cloudy until he was completely blind.
Control towers at Guamal and El Dorado responded immediately by suspending all flights and dispatching four training planes with expert flight instructors. They initiated "Operation Lazarillo" - an emergency protocol designed to guide the incapacitated pilot safely back to the airport.
Attempted Landing Maneuvers
The rescue team maintained constant communication with Ojetta, who appeared disoriented and confused. One instructor flew extremely close to Ojetta's aircraft, attempting to provide visual guidance despite the pilot's compromised vision. The team worked methodically to orient him toward El Dorado airport.
Four landing attempts were made, each presenting significant challenges:
Attempt Challenges Outcome First Off-course trajectory, veered right Aborted Second Nearly struck control tower Aborted Third Alignment difficulties Aborted Fourth Altitude and centerline issues Successful
Throughout these attempts, emergency crews positioned fire engines along the runway and taxiways, preparing for potential disaster. The control tower recorded the instructors' patient guidance: "Slowly bend to the left, slowly, slowly... sway left... the other side is left... sway right... same side as the door."
Final Approach and Landing
As tension mounted both in the air and on the ground, Ojetta experienced a slight improvement in his vision. He described it as "looking at shadows through thick fog" - limited but sufficient to distinguish basic shapes and outlines. This partial recovery proved crucial for the final landing attempt.
The rescue operation had now stretched beyond an hour, with hundreds of onlookers gathering at the terminal and thousands listening to live radio broadcasts of the unfolding drama. Air traffic controllers and fellow pilots continued providing precise verbal instructions.
With remarkable coordination, Ojetta followed the lead aircraft's position while instructors guided his altitude and alignment. Despite his severely impaired vision, he executed a near-perfect landing after 55 minutes of aerial crisis. The successful touchdown brought immense relief to everyone involved in this extraordinary rescue effort.
Aftermath
The incident involving a pilot temporarily blinded by an unidentified aerial phenomenon revealed both the resilience of aviation emergency protocols and the extraordinary nature of the encounter. What began as routine flight practice transformed into a harrowing 55-minute ordeal that tested both the affected pilot and air traffic control systems.
Relief and Emergency Response Protocol
After the intense aerial ordeal, everyone involved experienced an immense sense of relief when the Cessna 150 safely touched down. The emergency response, dubbed "Operation Lazarillo," demonstrated remarkable effectiveness in guiding a vision-impaired pilot to safety. Four instructor aircraft formed a coordinated rescue team, positioning themselves strategically to provide verbal navigation assistance. At El Dorado Airport, authorities suspended all flights to prioritize the emergency, while ground crews positioned fire engines along the runway and taxiways in anticipation of a potentially difficult landing.
The recorded communications between instructors and the affected pilot revealed meticulous guidance:
Instructor: "Okay slowly bend to the left. Slowly, slowly, slowly. Sway left... lunge left... sway left. The other side is left. Sway right. Same side as the door. Slowly bend at the scene."
Despite several aborted approaches where the aircraft veered dangerously close to the control tower, the instructors maintained calm communication. When the pilot regained minimal vision—describing it as "looking through a thick fog" or seeing shadows—he managed to follow the lead aircraft and execute a remarkably smooth landing. By this point, hundreds of onlookers had gathered at the airport terminal, with thousands more following the drama via live radio broadcasts.
