Shangxi: Air Force instructor chases glowing objects
On July 26, 1978, a Chinese Air Force instructor and student spotted two glowing objects circling an airfield at 9,800 feet in Shangxi province. Pursuit failed, and radar confirmed no other aircraft nearby.
Background
Incident
On July 26, 1978 at 21:40, Sha Yongkao, a flying instructor in the Chinese air force, was flying with a student in Shanxi Province, China at about 2,987 metres. They observed two luminous objects that circled the airfield twice before moving away.
Pursuit
Sha Yongkao attempted to follow the objects, without success. Ground personnel confirmed that no other aircraft had been detected in the vicinity.
Witnesses and Evidence
Primary witnesses: Sha Yongkao and his student. There was no radar confirmation of the objects, but conventional aircraft were ruled out. The event is documented in Paul Dong's UFO analysis (Flying Saucer Review, 1984).
Significance
A military visual contact in controlled airspace, with no explanation found; a contribution to the global record of UAP reports from military sources.