[AERO-RYR2BB] BOUGUENAIS (44) 04.12.2021

For the case dated 4 December 2021 near Bouguenais (44), GEIPAN received an Air Safety Report from the crew of Ryanair RYR2BB, flight FR4603 from London to Nantes. The pilot reported potentially conflicting traffic at 6,000 feet while approaching Nantes-Atlantique airport, LFRS–NTE. He increased his descent rate to avoid a collision. As his aircraft passed beneath the unidentified object, he estimated it was 300–400 feet above the aircraft. The object appeared neither on TCAS, the onboard traffic-collision avoidance system, nor on airport radar. No other traffic was encountered during landing. The pilot suggested a drone. The Nantes-Atlantique air transport gendarmerie, BGTA, investigated and considered a drone probable, but the file lacked information and no evidence confirmed one. GEIPAN relied on that investigation and conducted no separate inquiry. It classifies the case C: insufficient information.