GIGNY (89) 14.09.2019

On 14 September 2019 in Gigny (89), 5 people watched a nearly stationary black point in the sky for 1 hour 30 minutes. It appeared very distant and high. Lights became visible toward the end as night fell. Only 1 person reported to GEIPAN. GEIPAN considers the evidential basis good: 5 observers, a detailed account and a photograph allowing azimuth and angular-elevation calculations; see the investigation report. It identifies the USA-1 gas balloon in the 2019 Gordon Bennett Cup. All its known characteristics match the account. The witnesses initially considered a hot-air balloon but were puzzled by its apparent stillness and the lights. GEIPAN attributes the stillness to the great distance and low wind speed. The competition rules required nighttime marking lights, an aviation strobe and a landing light, switched on at nightfall. GEIPAN classifies the case A: observation of the USA-1 Gordon Bennett Cup 2019 gas balloon.