THORIGNE-D'ANJOU (49) 15.08.2012

Around 22:00 on 15 August 2012, a witness watching stars from a terrace at Thorigné-d'Anjou (49) saw unusual movements of 2, then 3 flashing coloured lights. He changed viewing location and considered several familiar explanations, finding none satisfactory. Two other family members confirmed the sighting and thought of a helicopter or satellite. No sound was heard during 15 minutes before the UAP left the main witness's field of view. No additional accounts were collected. The investigation examined 6 hypotheses, of which 2 fitted the physical appearance and movement very well; see the report. GEIPAN classified the case B: probable observation of a helicopter or light recreational aircraft flying under visual flight rules at night towards Nantes airport, Ancenis airfield or the Saint-Nazaire DAG base. GEIPAN assessed the account's quality and evidential strength as moderate. Although 3 witnesses were present, only 1 completed a questionnaire, and the others gave only very brief answers to the gendarmes. There were no photographs. The case was ultimately low in strangeness because the appearance and behaviour were readily consistent with familiar objects.