Pilot witness in Haute-Savoie, France

GEIPAN continues to publish all of its archives on its public website www.geipan.fr. Among its publications are old cases classified at the time (A, B, C or D) which are now being re-examined, with the sole aim of being more relevant in the conclusions. Thanks to new technical means (software) and the investigation experience acquired over all these recent years, this re-examination sometimes leads to new remarks or even a change of classification. This observation case, previously classified D and named ANNECY-LE-VIEUX (74) 20.10.2002, is part of a set of cases recently re-examined. On 20 October 2002 at around 6:40 p.m., a couple observed from a terrace the silent movements of a group of 7 to 9 very small dark or black objects in the sky. These were animated by different movements relative to one another. The observation with the naked eye then with binoculars lasted about ten minutes. The movement of the whole group was in a NNE direction at an estimated very low speed and at a constant altitude. Only one testimony was collected. Air traffic control for the sector was contacted but no particular activity was reported. We explored two explanatory hypotheses for the phenomenon observed by the witnesses (see the investigation report). The first concerns confusion with a group of black birds flying at high altitude in a migratory corridor. Although the geographical and temporal situation of the witnesses, located in a migratory corridor and making their observation at the end of October, in the middle of migration, supports this hypothesis, it nevertheless remains fragile, in particular for two reasons: - the known and calculated data of altitude of the UAP/duration of observation/speed do not match the characteristics of the birds recorded passing through that day; - and above all, the trajectory is in the opposite direction to the classic one of migration. The second hypothesis, that of confusion with a cluster of black balloons tied together with strings, on the other hand fits the data very well. A light south-west wind was blowing on the day of the observation, in the same direction as the movement of the UAP, which was moving very slowly. The known and calculated data relating to this movement speed, altitude and observation duration fit the hypothesis very well. Thus, with an altitude estimate of 500 m, we have a total angular displacement of about 67°, which is plausible given the geographical configuration of the location. Furthermore, the movements of the individuals within the group (coming together, moving apart, "rotations") are explained by the fact that they are connected to each other, more or less loosely, by strings. Carried by the local wind, they move as a single unit, but remain subject to small local influences causing them to move randomly and independently of one another, within the limit of the length of the string connecting them. This variant of a playful balloon release is indeed practiced and produces such effects, as shown in this video where five balloons constantly change relative position, while remaining confined to a restricted area, all being connected by strings. GEIPAN did not yet have enough experience with this type of balloon release at the time of the observation and the initial investigation. The observation took place on a Sunday evening in the late afternoon, which is conducive to a festive or recreational event of this type. The consistency is poor, with only one testimony collected, while several witnesses were present, and data, particularly angular data, are missing. No photo or video recording was made either. GEIPAN classifies the case as "B": probable observation of recreational balloons.