Up and Vanished Weekly: "VANISHED: Frederick Valentich"

Date: August 27, 2025
Hosts: Maggie Freeling, Payne Lindsey
Guest Contributor: Rob (Narrator), Brian Enten (Interviewee)

Overview

This episode of Up and Vanished Weekly explores the mysterious 1978 disappearance of Frederick Valentich, a 20-year-old Australian pilot whose final radio transmissions described an encounter with a "strange craft" before he vanished without a trace. The hosts investigate his background, the circumstances of the flight, and competing theories—including possible UFO involvement—while connecting the Valentich incident to broader debates about government transparency and unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs/ETs). The episode also features a deep-dive interview with investigative journalist Brian Enten on government secrecy, whistleblower claims, and societal reactions to potential alien disclosure.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Valentich Disappearance: What Happened?

• Setting the Stage

  • On October 21, 1978, Frederick Valentich set out on a solo flight in a Cessna 182L from Moorabbin Airport (Melbourne) to King Island over the Bass Strait. Conditions were clear and calm. (05:54–06:58)
  • Valentich was a relatively inexperienced pilot (under 150 flight hours), had previously failed exams, and had attempted (unsuccessfully) to join the Royal Australian Air Force. He also had minor aviation infractions. (09:00–10:55)

• The Chilling Radio Transmissions

  • During the flight, Valentich made an unscheduled radio call to Melbourne Air Traffic Control, claiming a "large aircraft" with "bright landing lights" was near him.
    • "Melbourne, this is Delta Sierra Juliet. Is there any known traffic below 5000? Seems to be a large aircraft below 5000. It is full bright. It seems to me like landing lights." (07:29, 11:36)
  • He described the object as cigar-shaped, shiny, with a green light, moving strangely, even hovering above him before vanishing.
    • "It's a long shape... It's got a green light and a sort of metallic. Like it's all shiny on the outside." (12:37)
    • At one point, he insists: "It's not an aircraft." (12:21, 14:10)
  • His final message: “My intentions are to go to King Island Melbourne. That strange aircraft is hovering on top of me again. It is hovering and it's not an aircraft.” (14:08–14:31)
  • The transmission—marked by interference and signs of distress—ends abruptly, and Valentich disappears without a trace. (13:36–14:31)

• Aftermath and Investigation

  • Immediate searches of the strait yielded no wreckage or remains. The only significant debris, a cowl flap from a Cessna 182L, washed ashore five years later; however, the serial number could not conclusively tie it to Valentich’s plane. (43:55)
  • Sightings by locals of unexplained lights and an anomalous photograph added to the intrigue, as did a farmer’s account of a "disc-shaped craft" with a Cessna attached on its side the next morning. These were never officially corroborated. (17:33–20:26)

Theories: Terrestrial, Psychological, and Extraterrestrial

• Skeptical/Earthbound Explanations

  • Valentich’s inexperience may have led to disorientation—possibly flying upside down, confusing his own lights reflected off the water for another craft.
  • Many investigators conclude routine engine failure and a subsequent “graveyard spiral” caused the crash, possibly exacerbated by night flying and psychological stress. (15:02–17:30)

• Psychological Factors & Paranoia

  • Valentich and his family had a documented interest in UAPs/ETs; his mother had claimed her own UFO sighting, and Frederick reportedly believed ETs had “nefarious intentions.”
  • Some suggest he suffered a psychological crisis, hallucinated the encounter, or even faked his own death. (20:26–21:40)

• "Extraordinary" Theories: UAP, Abduction, Government Secrecy

  • Believers cite:
    • Valentich’s vivid, real-time descriptions matching other credible UAP reports.
    • Disruptions in radio transmission and unexplained audio interference.
    • Similar sightings from military and civilian witnesses, especially involving craft rapidly shifting from high velocity to stationary positions—so-called "Tic Tac" phenomena.
    • Allegations that authorities have withheld or censored portions of the radio transmission. (20:26–21:40, 43:55)
    • The broader context of the "Bass Strait Triangle," citing multiple unexplained disappearances. (45:55–46:45)

Government Transparency, UAPs, and Public Perception

(Payne Lindsey & Brian Enten Interview) (25:38–43:55)

• Are Aliens Real?

  • “I think there’s something out there. I do. I think that the government knows something. There’s clearly secret programs.” —Brian Enten (25:54)

• The David Grusch Whistleblower Incident

  • Enten outlines Grusch’s high-level credentials and claims: the existence of a long-running, secret government crash retrieval and technology replication program, possibly involving recovered non-human “biologics.”
    • “I just kept going back to, like, why would he make it up? … What would the motivation be?” —Brian Enten (27:19)
    • “He claims that the US Government has a secret crash retrieval program … retrieved crashed spacecraft, essentially.” —Brian Enten (28:04)

• Congressional Hearings on UAPs

  • Enten and Lindsey discuss the significance of recent congressional testimony from multiple credible witnesses, including Navy pilots with video evidence (e.g., "Tic Tac" video), and widespread media reluctance to cover the story.
    • “There is video … released by the government. Even if you don’t believe David Grusch, it’s hard not to believe those pilots.” —Brian Enten (32:15)

• Societal Implications of Disclosure

  • Both agree that public reaction to definitive proof of ETs/UAPs would be significant but not world-shattering, given modern skepticism and information overload.
    • “Honestly, like, if there was a press conference tomorrow and they said, we do have this program… I really don’t think it would be that … the world would stop.” —Brian Enten (35:28)

• Why the Secrecy and Limited Coverage?

  • Enten suggests legacy media’s risk aversion and reputational concerns, noting NewsNation’s opportunity as a startup to pursue underreported stories.
    • “We have to really make sure we’re not wrong here and this guy isn’t crazy, or we’re gonna—we’re done, you know?” —Brian Enten (39:18)

• Will We Get Answers in Our Lifetime?

  • Both express optimism for scientific proof of extraterrestrial life in coming decades, while acknowledging our limited capacity—likening humanity to ants, unable to perceive or comprehend vastly superior civilizations.
    • “I mean, just the way I always think about like ants … I’m sure we’re the ants for something else.” —Brian Enten (42:02)
    • “If there’s aliens that exist, you know, why don’t they show themselves? … If you were to take a stroll in the woods and saw an ant hill… would you sit down and talk to it?” —Payne Lindsey (42:15–42:49)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Maybe he was just confused by what he saw, and this was just another unsubstantiated claim. But Frederick’s case does offer something unique: a detailed explanation in real time.” —Maggie Freeling (10:46)
• “It’s not an aircraft.” —Frederick Valentich (12:21, 14:10)
• “It seems like it’s stationary … it’s just orbiting on top of me. Also, it’s got a green light and a sort of metallic … like it’s all shiny on the outside.” —Frederick Valentich (12:37)
• "There is video ... released by the government. Even if you don't believe David Grusch, it's hard not to believe those pilots." —Brian Enten (32:15)
• "I don't buy that it's like 'oh, the world's not ready.' ... I think everybody would [handle it]. Maybe my grandparents weren't ready, but the generation younger than me ... they don't give a shit at all." —Payne Lindsay (36:33–36:47)
• "Science leans towards the likelihood of other beings existing out there somewhere in the universe." —Payne Lindsay (43:21)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Frederick Valentich’s Disappearance Recap & Transmission – 05:54–14:31
• Analysis of Theories (Skeptical, Psychological, UAP) – 15:02–21:40
• Reports of Other Witnesses & The "Bass Strait Triangle" – 17:33–20:26, 45:55–46:45
• Payne Lindsey & Brian Enten Interview
  • Introduction & Grusch Claims – 25:38–29:15
  • Congressional Hearings & Naval Pilot Testimony – 31:25–33:36
  • Public Acceptance of ETs/UAPs – 34:50–36:58
  • Media Caution & NewsNation’s Role – 37:40–39:18
  • "Ant Analogy" & Humanity’s Place – 42:02–43:09
• Closing Reflections – 43:55–47:09

Conclusion & Reflections

The episode underscores why cases like Frederick Valentich’s capture—and perplex—both skeptics and believers after nearly five decades. The incident represents a flashpoint between plausible terrestrial explanations and the enduring allure of the unexplained, now contextualized within a time of incremental government admissions and credible witnesses coming forward. While the lack of definitive proof keeps the mystery (and speculation) alive, the episode concludes that especially in the age of information—and disinformation—the truth remains as elusive as ever, both in the skies over Australia and in the halls of power.

For more on this topic:

• Explore the full Payne Lindsey & Brian Enten interview on "Talking to Death."
• Review “Tic Tac” UAP videos referenced in the episode.
• Refer to the Up and Vanished Weekly Instagram page for visuals on the case.