Mexico Pilot Surrounded by Three Discs: Mexico City Radar Confirms Objects
On 3 May 1975, a Mexican private pilot flying a Piper PA-24 on the Zihuatanejo–Mexico City route found his aircraft surrounded by three disc-shaped objects. Each disc measured roughly 10 to 12 feet in diameter. At 13:34 local time, the weather was clear and visibility excellent, allowing the pilot a detailed view of the objects from multiple angles. The pilot reported feeling that the discs were exerting some form of control over his aircraft, causing him considerable fear.
He radioed Mexico City air traffic control, which confirmed the presence of three unknown returns in his vicinity on radar. The objects maintained formation for a prolonged period before breaking away and heading in the direction of Popocatépetl volcano. Once they departed, the pilot regained full control of his aircraft. The case is cited in Lacatski's systematic survey of disc-shaped UAP encounters as an example with independent radar corroboration.
Background
The 1975 Mexico disc encounter is one of a small number of UAP cases in which an airborne witness — a trained pilot — reported not only visual observation but also an apparent physical effect on the aircraft, confirmed by Mexico City radar.
The Incident
The pilot was conducting a private flight from Zihuatanejo to Mexico City in a Piper PA-24 Comanche.
Three disc-shaped objects appeared and took up positions surrounding the aircraft.
The encounter occurred at 13:34 in clear afternoon conditions.
Key Observations
- Each object was estimated at 10 to 12 feet across — a small but definite physical presence detectable both visually and on radar.
- The pilot described a sensation that the discs were influencing or constraining his aircraft — a perceived loss of autonomous control reported in other UAP close encounter cases globally.
- Whether this reflects an actual electromagnetic or gravitational interaction or a psychological response to extreme proximity remains an open question.
Radar Confirmation
Mexico City radar confirmed three distinct returns matching the pilot's account.
This provides multi-sensor corroboration elevating the case above purely anecdotal encounters.
Object Departure
The objects eventually departed toward Popocatépetl — a well-known landmark and recurring UAP hotspot in Mexican reports.
Broader Context
Lacatski includes this case in a statistical and typological survey of disc-shaped UAP encounters.
This demonstrates the disc form factor consistently reported across continents, decades, and witness demographics.