Case description
On September 18, 1978, around 3:30 p.m., railwayman Giorgio Filiputti, 47, was fishing near the Corno River and Zumiel channel at Melaria di Porto Nogaro. A whistle and strong local wind drew him up the bank. He reportedly saw a copper-like disc, four or five metres across, on three telescopic supports, about 25 metres away.
A roughly 1.3-metre figure walked along its rim. Filiputti described a scale-patterned metallic suit, white gloves, dark footwear and waist containers. The exposed face had elongated eyes, an ordinary nose and mouth, and variably described yellow, bronze or olive colouring. It attended to a crescent-shaped fitting, then disappeared behind the dome. A loud rumble followed as the craft rose, retracted its supports and accelerated southwest; a blue underside flame was reported.
After the six-to-eight-minute encounter, another fisherman reportedly examined shallow impressions but suggested barrels had caused them. Filiputti later described hearing a separate aerial-light report in a bar; this is unverified collateral testimony. Antonio Chiumiento published the case, and FSR subsequently corrected an occupant drawing. The reconstruction follows that distinctive description, with the figure on the rim. Neither the repair interpretation nor a vehicle’s origin is established.
