[A19] de BEAUNE-LA-ROLANDE (45) vers CHILLEURS-AUX-BOIS (45) 15.02.2018

On 15 February 2018 around 21:30, a witness driving on the A19 between Beaune-la-Rolande (45) and Chilleurs-aux-Bois (45) saw a triangular UAP with 2 red lights to his right. He initially thought it was an aircraft. It turned right across the motorway in front of him, and the red lights became sky-blue. He also reported 2 white lights underneath and at the front. It then made another right turn to follow the motorway. He unsuccessfully tried to photograph it and opened his car window, hearing no sound from it. The sighting lasted an estimated 2–5 minutes and ended when it disappeared into a cloud. GEIPAN assesses the evidential strength as moderate: 1 witness and no successful photograph. Its definition is the quantity of information collected for an account that is considered reliable and objectively supported. The investigation examined a military-aircraft explanation and regards it as probable (see the investigation report). Orléans airbase 123 lies about 30–40 km away, in the UAP’s final direction, and houses military transports such as the C-130 Hercules. The reported red and white colours match standard aircraft lights. GEIPAN interprets the witness’s “sky-blue” as slightly bluish white. Changes in the aircraft’s position relative to him could have hidden the green right-wing light. Viewing conditions were especially poor: night, a car travelling at about 130 km/h, active rain and operating windscreen wipers. The witness was concentrating on driving and overtaking as the UAP crossed the motorway. These factors probably prevented aircraft recognition despite his repeated references to an aeroplane. Reliable perception of its exact shape and engine sound was therefore not assured. The C-130 Hercules has navigation lighting similar to the described red and white lights. GEIPAN cannot, however, explain why the witness reported 2 red lights when this aircraft has only 1. The C-130 also has white and red anti-collision lights that a pilot can switch off for exercise requirements, potentially explaining why no flashing was reported. The behaviour the witness found unusual could result from the aircraft’s relatively low speed and large changes in apparent speed caused by its 2 successive turns combined with the witness’s own motion. The long delay before investigation prevented formal confirmation that such an aircraft was present at that place and time. The case is classified B: probable observation of a military aircraft.