SAINT-CAST-LE-GUILDO (22) 18.07.2024

On the evening of 18 July 2024, 3 members of the same family observed an unidentified aerospace phenomenon (UAP) from the motorhome parking area near the pointe du Bay in Saint-Cast-le-Guildo (22). They saw a white, egg-shaped object apparently hovering motionless over the bay of Arguenon. One witness reported it to GEIPAN in a detailed questionnaire accompanied by 2 original photographs. GEIPAN finds the case only slightly unusual, with a good evidential basis: several witnesses, 1 detailed account and 2 photographs. Its investigation identifies a light aircraft; see the investigation report. The photographs allow the object's azimuth and angular elevation to be established precisely within the witnesses' surroundings. Radar analysis supplied by the CNOA (National Air Operations Center) and a reconstruction using Flightradar24 show that a Jodel D-20 light aircraft was in the corresponding position around the time of the photographs, with a discrepancy of about 2 minutes. A possible error in the phone's internal clock could explain that discrepancy. The object's white color is consistent with such an aircraft. Its distance from the witness, between 19 and 39 km, explains why its shape could not be clearly identified, particularly why its wings were not visible. GEIPAN classifies the case A: observation of a light aircraft. Under GEIPAN's criteria, evidential consistency means the amount of reliable, objectively supported information collected for an account.