Three white lights in a V formation in Illinois

Summary

Three white lights, the size of quarters, appeared in a V formation on July 19, 1961, south of Monticello, Illinois. The observers, traveling in a car, noticed the lights were banked to the left and moving parallel to the road. The formation remained stable for a few minutes before gradually fading out. The witnesses described two lights staying fixed while a third joined them, generating confusion about their nature.

The investigation concluded the lights were likely from a Commanche aircraft landing at the nearby airport. A mechanic confirmed the aircraft had additional lights on the nose and wingtips, which would explain the three-light formation. Additionally, the road conditions and vehicle speed made it difficult to perceive other details, such as the aircraft's sound. Despite the lack of conclusive evidence, investigators considered the presence of a civilian aircraft the most plausible explanation.