May 6, 1949; Moscow, Russia
The test pilot (Apraksin) took off in new aircraft for a test flight and was flying at maximum altitude. The cloud cover in the take-off area was light but when he found himself at Moscow latitude clouds covered the ground. He established communications with Vol'sk and maintained communications with the base at all times. Suddenly an incomprehensible aircraft, described as a "flying cucumber"', appeared and was flying considerably lower. Later, it began to descend. The pilot directed his aircraft toward the object and the speeds of both machines were very great and collision appeared inevitable. At a distance of about ten to twelve kilometers cones of light beams were directed at his aircraft. (This happened during his first encounter with similar object in 1948.) Blindness set in and the entire electrical portion of the controls was destroyed. The front plastic observation window was damaged and the the air-tightness of the cockpit was compromized. Although Apraksin was in a special suit and protective helmet, he experienced a drop in external pressure. Although he was in trouble, he nevertheless flew the aircraft, gliding it to the earth. Radio communications with the base had ceased. Apraksin landed the airplane on the right bank of the Volga, forty- nine kilometers north of Saratov, with great difficulty and lost consciousness. When he came to, he was in the hospital at the base. Just as in the first instance, the experts arrived from Moscow. He lay in the hospital (in Saratov) for two and half months and then was sent to Moscow." (Ref 105 in Gross, UFOs A history, 1949, page 72)