[AERO AFR] DE ORLY (94) VERS GRENOBLE (38) 08.10.2000

GEIPAN continues to publish its entire archive on www.geipan.fr. Older cases originally classified A, B, C or D are being reassessed solely to improve their conclusions. New technical tools (software) and accumulated investigative experience sometimes lead to new observations or even a change in classification. This case, previously classified D and named [AERO ARF] BELLEGARDE (45) 08.10.2000, is among those recently reassessed. On 8 October 2000 at 17:04 UTC, the pilot and copilot of a climbing flight to Grenoble saw a dark round object pass very rapidly just above the cockpit. They feared it would strike the tail, but no impact occurred. The pilot filed an Air Safety Report (ASR); a subsequent telephone interview with the copilot added information. The investigation considered a weather balloon, drone or bird (see the investigation report). All could fit aspects of the description, but a bird is the most plausible. Despite the approximately 0.1-second duration, GEIPAN cites sufficient supporting features: migration season, a migratory-corridor location, the copilot’s own inclusion of birds among his hypotheses and absence of radar detection. The dark colour and perceived proximity, implying modest size, further support it. An altitude of 4,000 m initially seems inconsistent with the 2 migratory species considered, but common cranes have been recorded at that height outside France. An isolated bird of another unidentified migratory species is also possible. Evidential strength is moderate: 2 witnesses, but a sighting too brief for an adequate description. GEIPAN considers it sufficient to support the hypothesis despite remaining uncertainties and classifies the case B: probable bird observation.