CHAMPIGNY (89) 02.09.2013

On 2 September 2013 at 12:45, a witness in Champigny was intrigued by an object moving silently through the sky. It was dark with a matt appearance. It began several turns, appearing round or elongated depending on the viewing angle during these manoeuvres. GEIPAN concludes that it was probably a gyroplane climbing. The investigation report cites a nearby airfield offering gyroplane flights, the absence of lights—which GEIPAN states are not mandatory on gyroplanes—a compatible shape and colour, and movements and speeds that were largely compatible. GEIPAN rates the evidence as moderate: the account is not very precise, contains many uncertainties, comes from 1 witness and is unsupported by photographs. The observation is of low strangeness because it could involve an ordinary object. The case is classified B: probable observation of a gyroplane.