Nexus - 0303 - New Times Magazine-pages

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a & nothing near the aircraft until the moment of impact. At that instant, an unidentified echo had appeared beneath the DC10. A second after the collision, it had vanished. Captain Ruano had heard the stories of UFOs over Mexico, but generally dis- missed the tales as the product of over- imaginative minds. Now, as a pilot whose responsibility it is to transport the public safely, he set a personal mandate to discov- er what else was occupying the airspace over the world's largest city. He wasn't alone in his quest. In less than two weeks, formal reports had been been filed on seven near-misses and one collision between pas- senger-carrying aircraft and unknowns. Supported by the Pilots’ Association, Captain Ruano and others openly discussed the incidents. Everyone concerned sought answers to unfathomable questions, includ- ing many of the air traffic controllers—two of whom granted exclusive interviews. Each has over 20 years’ experience and expressed confidence in their highly sophisticated radar system, the TDX 2000. Mike began the conversation. "We have the most advanced radar system in Latin America. Our system takes readings from the surface to the sky. It hasn't any limits.” "This is very weird," Rick added. "It's not easy for us to report these things. The pilots have a reputation to protect, and so do we. But the passengers are our joint UFOs OVER MEXICO: UPDATE __ the collision and request emergency land- ing procedures be instituted. he Aeromexico flight had been The remaining minutes of the flight cleared to land by the central con- passed slowly until the DC10 and its pas- trol tower of Mexico City sengers were safely on the ground. When International Airport. The short Captain Ruano exited the plane, the main- hop from Guadalajara had been routine. tenance crew was already inspecting the Captain Ruano began his final approach, undercarriage. The visible damage amazed locking the landing gear of the DC10 in everyone. The right strut had been sheared place. Suddenly the smooth descent of the in two: not broken or cracked from metal jet was interrupted by a strong jolt. fatigue, but cleanly cut in half. Something had collided with the aircraft. Demanding to know what had hit his air- The veteran pilot immediately responded to _ liner, Ruano confronted the air traffic con- the impact by calling the tower to report trollers who reported that radar indicated THAT LEAVES Two more FOR, \ THIS RUN...ONE IN A CORNFIELD AND THE OTHER VPA y= Tree eAFOLK PINE NEXUS * 67 APRIL-MAY 1996 UFOs OVER MEXICO: UPDATE