(DPT) NOUVELLE-CALEDONIE (988) 28.10.1994

On 28 October 1994 at 18:57, the pilot of a Dornier 228 flying level at 10,000 ft over New Caledonia reported unidentified traffic: an intense light with a large yellow-orange trail moving very rapidly west to east above the aircraft. The copilot confirmed the sighting, although their duration estimates differed, ranging from 12 seconds to 1 minute. Two witnesses on the ground also reported a bright light passing for about 10 seconds. The air traffic situation was fully known and could not explain the phenomenon. GEIPAN considers atmospheric entry the most probable explanation.