BEAULIEU-SOUS-LA-ROCHE (85) 01.07.2017

On 1 July 2017 at 22:14 in Beaulieu-sous-la-Roche (85), several witnesses saw an object leaving orange trails in a clear sky. One filmed it, then was surprised by other objects leaving similar trails along different paths. No sound was heard. He thought of space debris entering the atmosphere. Only 1 account was collected. GEIPAN finds that the video unambiguously shows an aircraft contrail. Its short length and orange colour were the main surprises. The setting Sun still illuminated the aircraft's altitude, explaining the colour; many factors govern a contrail's length and persistence and may prevent one forming at all. The witness was also somewhat surprised by a speed he considered 5 times that of an airliner. GEIPAN explains that an observer can only assess angular speed, which varies greatly, appearing greater overhead than near the horizon and at lower rather than higher flight altitude. The video does not suggest exceptional speed. Checks showed many airliners in that part of the sky then. GEIPAN did not pursue further investigation because the appearance clearly matched an aircraft. The case is classified A: aircraft.