IZESTE (64) 18.11.2014

In Izeste (64) on 18 November 2014, a witness saw an aircraft turn around in the sky, closely followed by an object apparently between its left wing and tail assembly. Air-traffic control confirmed an aircraft, specifically an Airbus Industrie A350 on a test or demonstration flight along an unusual route: 2 loops above the Pyrenees before landing at Toulouse at 12:50. The source notes that Airbus was preparing its first A350 delivery the following month. Airbus Industrie identified the smaller accompanying aircraft as a Corvette taking in-flight photographs and video. GEIPAN notes that its position south of the Airbus was well placed relative to the Sun for filming. The Airbus was at about 10,000 m altitude. Although the escort looked very close, it was probably substantially higher to photograph the Airbus from above. GEIPAN classifies the case A: certain observation of a large airliner on a test or demonstration flight, accompanied by a smaller aircraft taking images.