[D417] de MUNSTER (68) vers COLMAR (68) 13.11.2015

On November 13, 2015 at around 10:15 pm, two people in a car were intrigued by the low-altitude passage of a triangular object, the shape of which was bounded by three white round, non-flashing lights. Two red lights were seen in the centre of the object. The object moved away smoothly and silently in the cloudy sky. The witness served in the army and did not recognize an aircraft or helicopter. Only 1 account was collected. The GEIPAN requested the air traffic recorded in the area at that time from military air-traffic control (CNOA): the CNOA Radar record indicates an aircraft identified on a medical mission at low altitude, which is perfectly consistent with the testimony in course, location and time of passage overhead. This is described by the superimposition of radar traces on the attached map (see Reconstitution). The low-altitude, uneven trajectory (viewed by Radar and observation) is characteristic of a helicopter. The radar recording cannot confirm hovering at as low an altitude as observed (15m) but is compatible with it. It should be recalled that the estimate of distance of luminous points in the night is very subjective. The observation of a triangle with continuous lights, a white light at each corner and two red at the centre is compatible with that of a helicopter. It is surprising that the witness does not see the red and green colours of permanent navigation lights, nor the flashing white lights, but a helicopter preparing to land probably had white lights switched on that masked its other lights. Note that an aircraft can use various lights in addition to those prescribed (navigation, anti-collision and landing lights). The video Hellenic Navy AB-2012 ASW (night Flight) shows a case with three red lights, two fixed and a third which can be perceived as fixed and is derived from the rotating red light anti-collision, and here also the red and green navigation lights do not appear. As regards the absence of perceived noise from the object, although radar placed it at only 200 m altitude, the witness indicates that the window was slightly open, but the vehicle's engine remains on, which is not an ideal condition. But, above all, it is common in UAP observations that attention to a very striking visual observation masks the sound perception that accompanies it. Consequently, the GEIPAN classifies this observation as A as perfectly identified: Helicopter.