On the night of October 26, 1958, at around 10:30 p.m., two young men, Philip Small (27) and Alvin Cohen (24), were driving near the quiet road crossing the Loch Raven Reservoir north of Baltimore, Maryland when what they later described as an egg-shaped craft appeared suddenly above the bridge ahead. The reservoir itself is an important municipal water supply for the city and a serene recreational setting, making the sudden intrusion of the strange object all the more striking.
The Observation
As Small and Cohen approached what is usually a routine drive, they spotted in the darkness a large, flat, egg-shaped object hovering some 100 to 150 feet above the span of the bridge. Estimates of the object’s length vary, but several sources suggest the craft may have been approximately 100 feet long.
Slowing the vehicle to get a closer look, the pair observed the glowing, silent craft in the night sky. But at a distance of about 75-80 feet from the bridge, the car suddenly died. Headlights, dashboard, ignition — everything shut off as though the entire electrical system collapsed.
They exited the car and took cover behind it, stunned and uncertain. The craft hovered for about 30 to 45 seconds, during which the men watched in disbelief. Then, without any visible warning, the object emitted a brilliant flash of white light; they both felt heat on their faces, heard a loud, booming noise, compared to thunder or explosion, and then saw the craft rise vertically. As it ascended it grew brighter and its edges blurred, and it vanished from view within 5 to 10 seconds. Right after its departure, their car’s electrical system restarted, and they were able to drive away
USAF Recorded Witness Report on Loch Raven UFO found in Project BlueBook Files
Unusual Physical Effects
What distinguishes this incident from many other UFO reports are the tangible physical effects. First, the car’s total electrical shut-down and subsequent re-start is consistent with the description of electromagnetic interference. As one report observed: the disappearance of all electrical power in the vehicle is not the same as a simple engine stall.
Second, the witnesses experienced a burning sensation on the side of their faces facing the craft, and they immediately sought medical examination at a hospital in Baltimore.
These environmental effects—vehicle interference combined with physiological reaction make the Loch Raven case a textbook example of what’s called a “Close Encounter of the Second Kind” (a UFO event that leaves observable physical trace).
Investigation and Status
The case was forwarded to Project Blue Book and is recorded under case number BBU 6148. The Air Force concluded that while the incident did not appear to represent a national security threat, they were unable to provide any definitive explanation.
Local investigations and later UFO-research archives (such as the National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomena, NICAP) maintain that the case remains “unidentified” meaning the object and phenomenon do not match any known aircraft, balloon, meteor, or natural phenomenon with confidence.
Why This Sighting Stands Out
There are several reasons why the Loch Raven incident remains especially noteworthy:
Physical interaction
Many UFO sightings consist of a light or object seen in the distance, with no interaction with the environment. In the Loch Raven case, the object apparently caused the car’s electrical failure and a physical sensation of heat on the witnesses’ faces. Such physical evidence is rarer.
Detailed witness report
Two of the six total witnesses were able to describe geometry (distance to object, estimated height, approximate size), duration of observation, and sequence of events with consistency across reports. This level of detail lends more weight than many anecdotal reports.
Rapid vertical departure
The craft rose straight up, quickly, without apparent wings, propulsion noise or visible exhaust typical of aircraft of the era. The glowing edge of the object grew fuzzy as it ascended, suggesting a phenomenon not easily matched by known vehicles.
Local context & continued mystery
The reservoir area has had other reported anomalies over the years, but this 1958 event remains the most documented and unexplained. Reviewers note that only about 5% of mid-century sightings remained unidentified—which makes this incident one of the more persistent anomalies.
Photo of Bridge on Loch Raven Rd from Project Bluebook Report
Photo of Bridge on Loch Raven Rd from Project Bluebook Report
Anniversary and Reflection
Each year on October 26, the memory of this night resurfaces among aficionados of the unexplained. The resonance is stronger in the local community around Loch Raven: a place normally associated with hikes, fishing, quiet drives and the supply of water for Baltimore, yet on that night in 1958 it became the stage for something neither witness nor investigators could categorically explain.
While skeptics suggest a misidentification, atmospheric anomaly, or even psychological factors, none of the conventional hypotheses fully accounts for the vehicle interference combined with the physiology and rapid movement described. That unresolved status is partly why the case continues to captivate.
In short, the Loch Raven encounter isn’t just another blurry light in the sky, it's a documented moment of mystery that combines environmental effect, credible witnesses, and an unanswered question. Whether one leans toward extraterrestrial visitation, secret experimental technology, or something even more exotic, the event remains a standout in the annals of UFO research.
On this anniversary, the bridge at Loch Raven, the quiet water below, and the road up to the reservoir invite reflection: what did those two men see that night, and why did it remain beyond explanation?
