The First Commercial Flight Grounded Due to UFOs

The encounter involved pilot Javier Leo de Taha on November 11, 1979, during a flight from Salzburg, Austria, to La Palas. While flying over the Mediterranean, the crew noticed two powerful red lights approaching their aircraft. They contacted air traffic control but were told there were no other planes nearby. The lights matched the plane's trajectory, prompting the crew to make an emergency landing at Menace airport in Valencia, Spain, for safety. Military personnel and airport staff also witnessed the lights. A fighter jet was dispatched to investigate but experienced electronic interference when approaching the UFOs. The incident led to significant public interest and discussions in Spain, but it was later dismissed as optical illusions. The encounter had a lasting impact on the crew, who felt compelled to land due to safety concerns.