[AERO MIL] FAVERGES (74) 02.10.1954

At 4:20 p.m. on October 2, 1954, an experienced Alpine pilot flying a Nord 1203 on a heading of 250 degrees, at about 220 km/h and 2,000 metres altitude, reported an object to his right. He estimated it to be ten kilometres away and at 4,000 metres, following a rising curve on a similar heading. He interpreted it as a disc tilted thirty to forty degrees, with a phosphorescent rear edge, and estimated a diameter of three to four metres. It disappeared at the horizon after seventy seconds. Only his brief report was collected. GEIPAN noted that these estimated size and distance values imply an angular size near the eye's resolution limit. The meaning of the disc's tilt is unclear, and the claimed disappearance at the horizon would require an unreported descending phase. The aircraft travelled about 4.3 kilometres during the observation and was heading almost into the sun. Reflection from a closer object, such as a balloon, or from the canopy could not be excluded. The case was classified C for insufficient information and corroboration.