OMNI

Magazine Overview

Title: OMNI
Issue Date: September 1987
Price: $3.00
Cover Headline: REDEFINING DEATH
Sub-headline: SUPERSCIENTISTS: SIX MINDS THAT COULD SAVE THE WORLD

UFO UPDATE: The Mystery of Flight 19

The "UFO UPDATE" section of the September 1987 OMNI magazine tackles the enduring mystery of Flight 19, a group of five TBM Avenger torpedo bombers that disappeared on December 5, 1945, along with their 14 crew members. The incident occurred during a routine training mission that departed from the Naval Air Station in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Wesley Bateman, a self-proclaimed UFO researcher who conducts privately funded investigations for an anonymous group, presents a controversial theory. Bateman claims to have discovered evidence that extraterrestrials were responsible for the disappearance. His assertion stems from noticing an object in a photograph allegedly taken by Apollo 11 astronauts. Bateman believes this object resembles a TBM Avenger, with its nose pointed toward Earth, and that it is entombed in ice approximately 6,000 miles above the Earth, directly over the Bermuda Triangle.

Bateman theorizes that depth charges dropped by the Avengers may have damaged an alien craft lurking beneath the sea. When this alien craft ascended rapidly to avoid further damage, it allegedly created a propulsion vortex that sucked up seawater and the Avenger planes.

However, this theory is strongly contested by Philip J. Klass, a respected aviation journalist and UFO skeptic. Klass states that he has personally reviewed Navy archives concerning Flight 19 and found no mystery. He explains that the aircraft originally headed east toward the Bahamas. The flight instructor, becoming disoriented, mistakenly believed they were over the Florida Keys and ordered the planes to head north toward the mainland. This course, however, pointed them toward Greenland, which was too distant, leading the aircraft to run out of fuel.

Klass dismisses Bateman's claim about the object in orbit. He questions how such a large object could go undetected by radar, which is capable of tracking even small debris. NASA spokesman Kern Atchison also stated that he never heard of any Apollo astronauts photographing such an object.

Despite the skepticism, Bateman remains convinced, asserting that the visual evidence is undeniable and constitutes "conclusive proof that UFOs exist." The article is written by Sherry Baker.

Other Content

The cover also prominently features the headline "REDEFINING DEATH" and promotes a story about "SUPERSCIENTISTS: SIX MINDS THAT COULD SAVE THE WORLD," suggesting the issue covers a range of forward-thinking and speculative topics.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine appears to explore speculative science, mysteries, and potential future advancements. The "UFO UPDATE" section highlights a controversial theory about a famous unsolved disappearance, presenting both a believer's perspective and a skeptical counter-argument, indicating an editorial stance that encourages discussion and critical examination of extraordinary claims within the realm of unexplained phenomena.