PORT-SAINTE-MARIE (47) 26.05.2010

Three witnesses went to the gendarmerie to report observations made from their village square on 26 May 2010 between 21:45 and 23:00. An orange light in the direction of the plumes from Golfech power station caught their attention. Under heavily overcast skies, they watched the movements of one phenomenon and then another for a prolonged period, first with the naked eye and then through binoculars. Both eventually disappeared into the distance. GEIPAN's investigation report concludes that they probably observed several aircraft in 2 distinct phases. It gives the following reasons: - UAP 1, seen during the second observation phase, was successively described as a cigar, a triangle and an X. These approximate shapes fit an aircraft viewed at night from changing perspectives as it maneuvers. - The colours of both UAPs match aircraft lighting. The orange appearance of UAP 2's proposed landing light or searchlight could result from its low elevation and possible fine particles in the atmosphere. - The sound heard from UAP 1 could have been aircraft noise distorted by the local terrain. The witnesses also repeatedly compared UAP 1 to an aircraft. - UAP 2's cyclical movements resemble those of a gendarmerie helicopter searching a defined area. UAP 1's turns fit an aircraft maneuvering at low altitude, possibly a military Hercules C-130 exercising nearby, although the information is too limited and imprecise to confirm that identification. - UAP 2 was seen toward Agen airport, but this does not necessarily link it to the airport. A gendarmerie helicopter searching a well-defined area remains possible, although the approximately one-hour observation is very long. GEIPAN classifies the case B: probable multiple aircraft misidentifications.