DeepSummary
The episode begins with Danny Robbins and his co-producer Simon driving across the fringes of the Mojave Desert in California to investigate a potential haunting in the town of Palmdale. They interview a man named Mike, who recounts two terrifying experiences from his childhood in Palmdale where he encountered a nightmarish figure resembling a burnt astronaut or test pilot.
Mike provides vivid details of the figure, describing a charred, silvery suit with exposed intestines and smoke billowing out. During the first encounter as a child, Mike's grandmother inexplicably slapped him, seemingly pushing him out of the figure's path. Years later, Mike had a similar experience seeing the same figure while staying at his grandmother's house.
Searching for answers, Mike realizes the figure's resemblance to the test flight suits used by Lockheed Martin, whose facility was located near his childhood home. Danny visits the Mojave Air and Space Port, speaking with a veteran test pilot about the tragic deaths that occurred during experimental flights, potentially linking Mike's experiences to the ghost of a fallen pilot.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Mike recounts vivid, terrifying encounters with a nightmarish figure resembling a burnt test pilot or astronaut during his childhood in Palmdale, California.
- Mike's grandmother inexplicably slapped him during one encounter, seemingly pushing him out of the figure's path, suggesting a paranormal experience.
- The figure's appearance and Mike's proximity to a nearby aerospace facility raise the possibility that he witnessed the ghost of a fallen test pilot.
- The episode explores the tragic history of test pilot deaths at the Mojave Air and Space Port, providing context for the potential haunting.
- Mike's experiences left a lasting impact, prompting him to investigate and seek explanations for the disturbing encounters.
- The episode raises questions about the nature of paranormal experiences and the possibility of spirits lingering after tragic events.
- The vivid details and corroborating elements of Mike's account challenge skeptical explanations and suggest a genuine paranormal encounter.
- The episode highlights the sacrifices made by test pilots in the pursuit of aviation advancements and the potential for their spirits to remain tied to the locations of their demise.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “I absolutely, for years, put those two things together.“ by Mike
- “The old adage is takeoffs are optional, landings are mandatory, but they don't always happen. No, they don't.“ by Jim Brown
- “Yeah. There's quite a force in the list of names.“ by Jim Brown
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Episode Information
Uncanny
BBC Radio 4
6/10/24
Myke is visited by a nightmarish apparition as a child. The experience is so troubling that he is haunted afterwards by vivid memories of what he saw that night. But as Myke grows older, he begins to wonder why the apparition appeared to him. Could the answer lie in the house they lived in?
Written and presented by Danny Robins Expert: Ciaran O'Keeffe Editing and sound design: Charlie Brandon-King Music: Evelyn Sykes Theme music by Lanterns on the Lake Script editor: Dale Shaw Development producer: Sarah Patten Production manager: Tam Reynolds Commissioning executive: Paula McDonnell Commissioning editor: Rhian Roberts Produced by Danny Robins and Simon Barnard
A Bafflegab and Uncanny Media production for BBC Radio 4