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ALSACAT:

ALSACAT is my comprehensive catalog of UFO sighting reports in Alsace, the region is the North-East of France, whether they are "explained" or "unexplained".

The ALSACAT catalog is made of case files with a case number, summary, quantitative information (date, location, number of witnesses...), classifications, all sources mentioning the case with their references, a discussion of the case in order to evaluate its causes, and a history of the changes made to the file. A general index and thematic sub-catalogs give access to these Alsatian case files.

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Case of Gresswiller, on April 19, 2019:

Case number:

ALSACAT-2019-04-19-GRESSWILLER-1

Summary:

A man from Strasbourg filled out the GEIPAN sighting report form on April 21, 2019, explaining that during a trip to go for a walk at Mont Sainte Odile, on Friday April 19, 2019 at around 2:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m., he was with four other people in his car, driving.

The rear windows were closed, the driver's side window was open, he was driving at around 70 or 80 km/h on the D217 road, being 3 kilometers after the exit from Gresswiller and heading towards Mollkirch. The sky was blue, cloudless, there was sunshine but not in front of them. To their right there is a forest, to their left a large open meadow.

They had then observed for several seconds - he will specify, 30 seconds - an aircraft hovering fairly close to the tops of the trees beyond the meadow on their left, about 7 kilometers from them, in the towards Rosenwiller.

The man said it was a huge, gray aircraft, the size of a Boeing 777-type airliner, vaguely shaped as if seen from behind, but stationary and very very low. He indicated that the craft was "in a west south east direction."

Everyone in the car was surprised to see it stationary and very low.

The driver had continued to drive, and trees then blocked the view of the craft.

There were no photos taken, and the other witnesses mentioned, his 28-year-old partner, his 39-year-old sister-in-law, his 13 and 9-year-old daughters, did not fill out a report form.

GEIPAN analyzed this case and found using the Web application FlighRadar24 that the craft corresponded in time and place to a Boeing 737 of the company Smartwings coming from Metz-Nancy which was in the landing approach of the Strasbourg - Entzheim airport, which flew over the observation site around 2:30 p.m.

Data:

Temporal data:

Date: April 19, 2019
Time: 02:30 p.m.
Duration: 30 seconds.
First known report date: April 21, 2019
Reporting delay: 2 days.

Geographical data:

Department: Bas-Rhin
City: Gresswiller
Place: Driving by car on the D217 road to Mollkirch, 3 km after the Gresswiller exit.
Latitude: 48.523
Longitude: 7.413
Uncertainty radius: 200 m.

Witnesses data:

Number of alleged witnesses: 5
Number of known witnesses: 1
Number of named witnesses: 0
Witness(es) ages: 40
Witness(es) types: Man from Strasbourg, with relatives.

Ufology data:

Reporting channel: To the GEIPAN.
Type of location: Driving by car on country road.
Visibility conditions: Day, clear sky.
UFO observed: Yes.
UFO arrival observed: No.
UFO departure observed: No.
Entities: No.
Photographs: No.
Sketch(s) by witness(es): No.
Sketch(es) approved by witness(es): No.
Witness(es) feelings: Puzzled.
Witnesses interpretation: ?

Classifications:

Hynek: DD
ALSACAT: Airliner.

Sources:

[Ref. gei1:] GROUPE D'ETUDES ET D'INFORMATIONS SUR LES PHENOMENES AEROSPATIAUX NON IDENTIFIES (G.E.I.P.A.N.):

(D217) FROM GRESSWILLER (67) TO MOLLKIRCH (67) 19.04.2019

DATE OF OBSERVATION 04/19/2019
REGION Alsace
DEPARTMENT Bas-Rhin
CLASSIFICATION A
UPDATE DATE 04/23/2019
TYPE OF PHENOMENON Airliner
STRANGENESS 0.17
CONSISTENCY 0.60
SUMMARY Brief observation during a car travel of a "huge" and motionless UAO near the treetops at about 7km: observation of an airliner.
DESCRIPTION

On April 19, 2019, in the early afternoon, the driver of a car carrying 4 other passengers was traveling at around 70/80 km/hour on the D217 towards MOLLKIRCH (67). To the right of the road there is a forest and to the left a huge open meadow. While driving, the driver observes for several seconds a "device hovering" in the clear sky. This UAP is seen "like an airplane from behind" fairly close to the treetops, beyond the meadow on the left, about 7 kilometers in the direction of ROSENWILLER (67). The UAP is very quickly hidden by the vegetation. Only one testimony will be collected.

The testimony is of medium consistency: several witnesses, but a single testimony, no photo or video.

This case turns out to be the probable sighting of an airliner (see the investigation report).

A check on Flightradar24 shows that two planes flew over the observation site at low altitude, at times that may correspond to the observation. However, only flight TVS3443, Boeing 737, landing at Strasbourg airport, presents the characteristics of UAP: passage a few kilometers to the southeast and low angular height in relation to the landscape.

The perceived strangeness is due to the size of the UAP (“the device was huge, the size of a B777 type airliner”) and its apparent immobility.

A Boeing 737 is in fact shorter than the B777 cited as a reference by the witness, but an estimate of size depends strongly on the associated distance estimate, so we can consider that the B737 remains compatible with the mention " enormous aircraft type B777” formulated by the witness.

The immobility of the UAP can be explained by a pivot effect, in relation to the landscape serving as a reference insofar as the witnesses were traveling by car. In addition, the speed of the aircraft was reduced, it being in the landing phase (its speed was thus approximately 150 knots, or approximately 278 km/h) and the observation having been carried out over a time quite short (30 seconds).

The case is classified as A, sighting of an airliner.

WITNESS
DATE OF THE OBSERVATION 04/19/2019
AGE 40
GENDER H
REACTION Emotion - Surprise; Emotion - Stupor
CONDITION
ENVIRONMENT GROUND OCCUPATION Farming territories - Heterogeneous agricultural zones
WEATHER CONDITIONS Sun of Light night
LOCAL DATE AND TIME 04/19/2019 02:30:00 p.m. /03:00:00 p.m.
REFERENCE FRAME Sky
DISTANCE BETWEEN PHENOMENON AND WITNESS 7 Kilometers
START OF THE OBSERVATION Conditions of appearance provoked by the phenomenon
END OF THE OBSERVATION Conditions of disappearance provoked by the witness
LOCALIZATION
NATURE OF THE OBSERVATION OR DESCRIPTIVE TERMS Craft
CHARACTERISTIC OF THE OBSERVATION Single object
GLOBAL SHAPE Other non categorized shape
COLOR Grey
APPARENT SIZE Estimation given the distance that separated us from the phenomenon that of a large airliner B 777 type
APPARENT SPEED Null, Motionless, Hovering
NOISE None, Total silence
EFFECT ON THE ENVIRONMENT None
NUMBER OF OBSERVED PHENOMENA Single

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cnes
NATIONAL CENTER FOR SPATIAL STUDIES

geipan

Madam, Sir,

You have directly witnessed, on French territory, an aerospace phenomenon that has intrigued you, and you wish to entrust this observation to GEIPAN for analysis.

We suggest that you first go to our website www.geipan.fr. Consulting the UAP identification guide may allow you to quickly find an explanation for your observation.

If not, we invite you to complete this questionnaire.

Important: the questionnaire should not be completed if you have not made a direct observation (an object observed in a photo or film AFTER taking sight does not constitute a case of observation)

Your testimony is crucial and unique. It will consist of writing a story about your observation, answering specific questions, making drawings and sketches or attaching photographs to further refine your description.

It is imperative that you follow the instructions mentioned at each step so that we can gather as much information as possible about the observed phenomenon.

You should not be afraid to tell us about it, nor feel ridiculous, we are used to collecting this type of testimony.

The conclusions of our investigation will be sent to you personally. Once anonymized, your testimony will be published on our website: www.geipan.fr, "Case search" tab in the menu bar.

We thank you in advance for your contribution to our work.

The head of GEIPAN

The information collected on this form is recorded in a file computerized by GEIPAN in order to collect, record and publish testimonials. They are kept for 99 years and are intended for GEIPAN, with regard to Article 13 of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council relating to the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data. staff of April 27, 2016, you have the right to access and rectify information concerning you, which you can exercise by contacting l-cnil@cnes.fr and geipan@cnes.fr You can also, for legitimate reasons, to object to the processing of data concerning you, which would involve stopping the processing of the testimony.

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Did you find the questionnaire on the GEIPAN website? yes .............

Did you look at the "What did I see?" on the GEIPAN website? yes .............

The information collected on this form is recorded in a file computerized by GEIPAN in order to collect, record and publish testimonies. They are kept for 99 years and are intended for GEIPAN, with regard to Article 13 of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council relating to the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data of April 27, 2016, you have the right to access and rectify information concerning you, which you can exercise by contacting l-cnil@cnes.fr and geipan@cnes.fr You can also, for legitimate reasons, oppose to the processing of data about you, which would involve stopping the processing of the testimony.

V3-13/September 2018 page: 3

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Your observation

We will ask you to provide as much information as possible about your observation. The most important thing is not to omit anything: it is often the details that solve the investigations. Do not hesitate to give as much information as possible, even if your memories are incomplete or certain elements seem unimportant to you. If you are no longer very sure of this or that detail, let us know your doubts, but, once again, do not omit anything. We must be able to visualize everything you have seen, as if to remake the film of your observation.

For your story, you can use the free text prepared before consulting the "What did I see?"

Use the end of this page to recount your sighting and continue on free paper as much as you wish:

Your account free from observation:

... During our ride on Friday, April 19, 2019 at around 2:30 p.m. / 3 p.m., there were 5 of us in my car, the windows were closed at the back, but open at the front driver side we were driving at about 70/80 Km/Hour on the D217 road in the direction of "MOLKIRCH" the sky was blue without clouds there was sunshine but we did not take it from the front, to the right of the road there is a forest, on the left a huge cleared meadow too; we observed for several seconds (since I did not stop we continued to advance until the vegetation blocked our view) a device hovering quite close to the tops of the trees beyond the meadow on our left, about 7 kilometers from us in the direction of Rosenwiller, this device was enormous, the size of a type B777 airliner, it also had a vague shape (we see it as an airplane from behind, at the only difference that it was hovering and really very low). We were all surprised knowing all the laws of current avionics.

I would be grateful if you would keep me informed of any explanations you may have, I am at your entire disposal for further explanations if necessary.

Regards

The information collected on this form is recorded in a file computerized by GEIPAN in order to collect, record and publish testimonies. They are kept for 99 years and are intended for GEIPAN, with regard to Article 13 of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council relating to the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data of April 27, 2016, you have the right to access and rectify information concerning you, which you can exercise by contacting l-cnil@cnes.fr and geipan@cnes.fr You can also, for legitimate reasons, oppose to the processing of data about you, which would involve stopping the processing of the testimony.

V3-13/September 2018 page: 4

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Conditions of observation of the phenomenon

Please provide all the information requested.

A1. Precise address of the place of observation (municipality, department, street,...):

D217 towards MOLKIRCH 3 kilometers after leaving Gresswiller

A3. If During a trip: name of boat, route or flight reference:

D217

B1. What were your occupations just before your sighting?

Nothing special, we joined in order to go for a walk on Mont St Odile

B2. Where were you exactly? (Please indicate if you were in a building and on what floor, if you were looking through a window, and how fast you were driving if you were in a vehicle.)

As indicated above we were in my car we observed the phenomenon through the rear windows for the passengers and directly as far as I was concerned since I was driving

B3. Description of the place of observation:

D217 about 7 kilometers in a west south east direction

B4. Date of sighting: 19/04/2019 B5. Precise start time (in local time): 2:30 p.m./3:00 p.m.

B6. Duration of observation or end time (in hours, minutes, seconds): 30 seconds ..............

B7. Did other witnesses see the same phenomenon as you? If yes, how many?

The information collected on this form is recorded in a file computerized by GEIPAN in order to collect, record and publish testimonies. They are kept for 99 years and are intended for GEIPAN, with regard to Article 13 of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council relating to the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data of April 27, 2016, you have the right to access and rectify information concerning you, which you can exercise by contacting l-cnil@cnes.fr and geipan@cnes.fr You can also, for legitimate reasons, oppose to the processing of data about you, which would involve stopping the processing of the testimony.

V3-13/September 2018 page: 5

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4 people besides myself

if applicable, please ask them to contact us using the contact details given on the last page of this document.

B8. If applicable, identity and relationship between these witnesses and the primary witness:

(my girlfriend) 28 years old
(my sister-in-law) 39 years old
(his granddaughter) 13 years old
(his young daughter) 9 years old

B9. The observation was made in a way: continuous for 30 seconds

(Strike out or delete as appropriate)

B10. If the observation was made discontinuously, specify why it was interrupted and resumed:

B11. What caused the end of the observation?

The trees blocked our view

B12. Did you see the phenomenon directly with your eyes: YES

(Strike out or delete as appropriate)

B13. Was the phenomenon observed through a sight or sun instrument (binoculars, camera, video camera, telescope...) If yes, please specify the model:

Nothing at all

B14. Weather conditions (clear sky, clouds, wind, thunderstorm, mist, fog, rain, snow, change of conditions during observation:

Clear skies no clouds

The information collected on this form is recorded in a file computerized by GEIPAN in order to collect, record and publish testimonies. They are kept for 99 years and are intended for GEIPAN, with regard to Article 13 of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council relating to the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data of April 27, 2016, you have the right to access and rectify information concerning you, which you can exercise by contacting l-cnil@cnes.fr and geipan@cnes.fr You can also, for legitimate reasons, oppose to the processing of data about you, which would involve stopping the processing of the testimony.

V3-13/September 2018 page: 6

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B15. Astronomical conditions (remember the position of the Moon, the Sun, the presence or absence of stars or planets, etc.):

The sun didn't bother us, it must have been almost vertical

B16. Equipment switched on or active during the observation (headlights, radio, TV, lights...):

Nothing at all

B17. Noises during observation (TV or radio on, passing vehicles, aircraft engine, thunder...):

No engine sound, except that of our car anyway we were too far away to hear a noise emanating from the observed craft

The information collected on this form is recorded in a file computerized by GEIPAN in order to collect, record and publish testimonies. They are kept for 99 years and are intended for GEIPAN, with regard to Article 13 of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council relating to the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data of April 27, 2016, you have the right to access and rectify information concerning you, which you can exercise by contacting l-cnil@cnes.fr and geipan@cnes.fr You can also, for legitimate reasons, oppose to the processing of data about you, which would involve stopping the processing of the testimony.

V3-13/September 2018 page: 7

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Description of the phenomenon

In your descriptions, do not hesitate to make comparisons with known objects.

C1. Number of phenomena (single, multiple or single then splits...):

Unique

C2. Shape:

That of an airplane seen from behind

C3. Color:

Grey

C4. Brightness (compared to known stars like Venus and the Moon, or lighting from a street lamp, car lights, house lights, etc.):

Usual during the day

C5. Presence of a trail or a halo? If so, what color?

None

C6. Apparent size (express the dimensions of the phenomenon in relation to a familiar object and/or in millimeters counted on a graduated ruler carried at arm's length):

Estimated from the distance separating us from the phenomenon that of a large airliner type B 777

C7. Noise from the phenomenon (hissing, buzzing, detonation, comparison with a known noise...):

None

The information collected on this form is recorded in a file computerized by GEIPAN in order to collect, record and publish testimonies. They are kept for 99 years and are intended for GEIPAN, with regard to Article 13 of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council relating to the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data of April 27, 2016, you have the right to access and rectify information concerning you, which you can exercise by contacting l-cnil@cnes.fr and geipan@cnes.fr You can also, for legitimate reasons, oppose to the processing of data about you, which would involve stopping the processing of the testimony.

V3-13/September 2018 page: 7

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C8. Distance between you and the UAP (the observed phenomenon), roughly estimated (specify whether the object passed in front of or behind an element of the landscape):

7 Kilometers

C9. C10. Initial position of the UAP in the sky (start of observation):

D 217 about 3 kilometers after leaving Gresswiller heading south south east; hovering above the treetops on the hill to the east

Indicate a cardinal spot (North, South...), or an azimuth in degrees from North, or a local visual or geographical landmark (building, village)

Indicate a height in degrees from the horizon, or from an element of the landscape (eg: twice as high as the church tower)

Between 30 and 45° 20 meters above the trees

Cll. C12. Final position of the UAP in the sky (end of observation):

Indicate a cardinal spot (North, South, etc.), or an azimuth in degrees from North, or a local visual or geographical landmark (building, village)

The same it was hovering

The information collected on this form is recorded in a file computerized by GEIPAN in order to collect, record and publish testimonies. They are kept for 99 years and are intended for GEIPAN, with regard to Article 13 of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council relating to the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data of April 27, 2016, you have the right to access and rectify information concerning you, which you can exercise by contacting l-cnil@cnes.fr and geipan@cnes.fr You can also, for legitimate reasons, oppose to the processing of data about you, which would involve stopping the processing of the testimony.

V3-13/September 2018 page: 9

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Indicate a height in degrees from the horizon, or from an element of the landscape (eg: 2 times higher than the church tower)

20 meters above the trees

C13. Trajectory of the phenomenon (straight line, rising, falling, with or without change of direction, curve, etc.):

Stationary

C14. Portion of the sky covered by the UAP during the observation (ex: a quarter of the sky or from 30° to 40° in relation to the horizon, etc.):

None

C15. Effect(s) on the environment (trace(s) on the ground, effect(s) on living beings or equipment):

None

The information collected on this form is recorded in a file computerized by GEIPAN in order to collect, record and publish testimonies. They are kept for 99 years and are intended for GEIPAN, with regard to Article 13 of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council relating to the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data of April 27, 2016, you have the right to access and rectify information concerning you, which you can exercise by contacting l-cnil@cnes.fr and geipan@cnes.fr You can also, for legitimate reasons, oppose to the processing of data about you, which would involve stopping the processing of the testimony.

V3-13/September 2018 page: 10

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Reconstruction of your observation

In order for us to reconstruct the "movie" of your observation, we must get as much information as possible. Concretely, this implies that we understand everything, from the beginning to the end of your observation, and that we know the direction of movement of the phenomenon as well as its altitude. This step is crucial.

We offer three complementary methods:

  1. Take a photo of the environment as it was during the phenomenon, as if the camera were your eyes during the observation. Feel free to draw what you observed directly on the photos.
  2. Make one or more sketches of your observation (see next page) from your point of view, including the surroundings. Give as many elements as possible to allow us a good understanding of the scene.

    You are completely free of the sketches you send us. But color accuracy is important, especially if the level of contrast between the observed phenomenon and the environment is low. Try to be as precise as possible, even if it means writing on the sketch.

    No drawing skills required. The main thing is to let us understand what you saw schematically. You can use the following page for this purpose.
  3. Reconstruct your observation on one or more shots. If you can, present your observation with a top view. For this you can print a map of your place of observation on Google Maps (http://maps.google.fr) or Geoportail (http://www.geoportail.gouv.fr/accueil) and report your different positions and observation directions.

How do I "dress up" a photo or map with your comments?

The information collected on this form is recorded in a file computerized by GEIPAN in order to collect, record and publish testimonies. They are kept for 99 years and are intended for GEIPAN, with regard to Article 13 of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council relating to the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data of April 27, 2016, you have the right to access and rectify information concerning you, which you can exercise by contacting l-cnil@cnes.fr and geipan@cnes.fr You can also, for legitimate reasons, oppose to the processing of data about you, which would involve stopping the processing of the testimony.

V3-13/September 2018 page: 11

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If you are accustomed to the use of drawing or image editing software (Photoshop, GIMP, Illustrator, ...), we advise you to use these tools, then to send a file in JPG, png or PDF format.

If you cannot access this type of material, print a map of the location and/or a photo, draw over it and attach it to the paper file; or scan or photograph the result and send it to us in JPG, png or PDF format.

The information collected on this form is recorded in a file computerized by GEIPAN in order to collect, record and publish testimonies. They are kept for 99 years and are intended for GEIPAN, with regard to Article 13 of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council relating to the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data of April 27, 2016, you have the right to access and rectify information concerning you, which you can exercise by contacting l-cnil@cnes.fr and geipan@cnes.fr You can also, for legitimate reasons, oppose to the processing of data about you, which would involve stopping the processing of the testimony.

V3-13/September 2018 page: 12

Page 13 preprared for a sketch of the observation was left empty.

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Now what?

El. Describe the emotions you felt during and after the sighting:

Amazement, incomprehension

E2. What did you do after your sighting? Did you talk about it? How did your interlocutors react? Did you do any research to understand what you saw?

We talked about it among ourselves without finding any logical explanation

E3. How do you interpret what you observed? Did you think of a known phenomenon? What are the elements that support your interpretation? If you don't know, have you given up trying to understand? If yes, when and why?

I can't find any explanation why I'm contacting you, it was too big and hovering and not at all in the airliner flight zones, an optical phenomenon will surprise me a lot, only hypothesis but really wacky, an airship.... With the shapes of planes...

E4. Before your observation, what interest did you have in strange aerospace phenomena?

This has always interested me but I remain pragmatic and seek scientific explanations above all

ES. Did this observation change your opinion on UAPs?

Not really, I'm waiting for your explanations before...

E6. Do you think science will provide an explanation for your observation?

I think so and hope so

The information collected on this form is recorded in a file computerized by GEIPAN in order to collect, record and publish testimonies. They are kept for 99 years and are intended for GEIPAN, with regard to Article 13 of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council relating to the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data of April 27, 2016, you have the right to access and rectify information concerning you, which you can exercise by contacting l-cnil@cnes.fr and geipan@cnes.fr You can also, for legitimate reasons, oppose to the processing of data about you, which would involve stopping the processing of the testimony.

V3-13/September 2018 page: 14

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E7. Do you think your experience changed anything in your life? That there can be a before and an after? Explain how you feel:

NO

The information collected on this form is recorded in a file computerized by GEIPAN in order to collect, record and publish testimonies. They are kept for 99 years and are intended for GEIPAN, with regard to Article 13 of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council relating to the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data of April 27, 2016, you have the right to access and rectify information concerning you, which you can exercise by contacting l-cnil@cnes.fr and geipan@cnes.fr You can also, for legitimate reasons, oppose to the processing of data about you, which would involve stopping the processing of the testimony.

V3-13/September 2018 page: 15

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Summary

If you have already testified about this UAP, please tell us with which authority, organization or person by deleting or crossing out the unnecessary mentions in the list below, and by completing the information requested (several contacts possible):

- Gendarmerie (mention the brigade and the date): .................
- Police (mention police station and date): .................
- GEIPAN (mention contact name and date): .................
- Private Investigator (mention contact name and date): .................
- Ufologist (mention contact name and date): .................
- Journalist (mention name of contact and date): .................
- Internet (mention site and date): .................

Do you authorize us to publish this latest information? YES

(It may possibly allow you to be identified if your identity appears on this site)

Please specify in the list below the documents that you have attached or completed.

(Check or remove unnecessary mentions)

x Quiz
[ ] Sketch of the observed phenomenon (number: …...)
x Map(s) or plan(s) (number: .......)
[ ] Photograph(s) of the sighting (number: .......)
[ ] Video(s) of the sighting (number: .......)
[ ] Photograph(s) of the surroundings (number: .......)

The information collected on this form is recorded in a file computerized by GEIPAN in order to collect, record and publish testimonies. They are kept for 99 years and are intended for GEIPAN, with regard to Article 13 of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council relating to the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data of April 27, 2016, you have the right to access and rectify information concerning you, which you can exercise by contacting l-cnil@cnes.fr and geipan@cnes.fr You can also, for legitimate reasons, oppose to the processing of data about you, which would involve stopping the processing of the testimony.

V3-13/September 2018 page: 16

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You still have to complete the publication authorization below, which will allow us to display your anonymized testimony on our website.

Permission to publish your information

(In case of refusal, cross out or delete one and/or the other of the following formulas.)

I, the undersigned [-] certify the sincerity of the information provided above.

Made in Strasbourg ...............

APRIL 21, 2019 ...............

Signature

If you are completing this form by computer, insert your scanned signature or simply type your name.

The information collected on this form is recorded in a file computerized by GEIPAN in order to collect, record and publish testimonies. They are kept for 99 years and are intended for GEIPAN, with regard to Article 13 of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council relating to the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data of April 27, 2016, you have the right to access and rectify information concerning you, which you can exercise by contacting l-cnil@cnes.fr and geipan@cnes.fr You can also, for legitimate reasons, oppose to the processing of data about you, which would involve stopping the processing of the testimony.

V3-13/September 2018 page: 17

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cnes
NATIONAL CENTER FOR SPATIAL STUDIES

Deputy Digital Technical Department
Group for Studies and Information on Unidentified Aerospace Phenomena

geipan

DTN/DA2/GP
Toulouse, 06/09/2022

INVESTIGATION REPORT

CASE OF OBSERVATION

(D217) from GRESSWILLER (67) to MOLLKIRCH (67) 19.04.2019

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1 – CONTEXT

On April 19, 2019 during the afternoon, the witness in a car (driver) with 4 passengers, windows closed at the rear, but open at the front (driver's side) was driving at around 70/80 km/ hour on the D217 road towards "MOLLKIRCH". The sky is cloudless blue, there is sun, but no face. To the right of the road there is a forest, to the left a huge open meadow. He observed for several seconds an aircraft hovering quite close to the treetops beyond the meadow on the left, about 7 kilometers from them in the direction of ROSENWILLER (67). This craft is huge, the size of a B777 type airliner, it also has a vague shape (he sees it as an airplane from behind, with the only difference that it is stationary and really very low). The witness continues to advance and loses sight of the UAP hidden by the vegetation.

The witness completed a Questionnaire (QT) which he sent by email to GEIPAN on April 21, accompanied by a map of the premises. An acknowledgment of receipt was sent to him on April 24. The same day, the GEIPAN made a request to the CNOA in order to have a reconstitution of the air traffic. A response is received on April 30.

2- CASE DESCRIPTION

Excerpt from the QT of the witness:

"During our ride on Friday April 19, 2019 at around 2:30 / 3 p.m., there were 5 of us in my car, the windows were closed at the rear, but open at the front on the driver's side. We were driving at about 70/80 Km/Hour on the D217 road towards "MOLKIRCH" the sky was blue without clouds there was sunshine but we did not take it from the front, to the right of the road there is a forest, on the left a huge cleared meadow too; we observed for several seconds (since I did not stop we continued to advance until the vegetation blocked our view) a craft hovering quite close to the treetops beyond the meadow on our left, about 7 kilometers from us in the direction of Rosenwiller, this craft was enormous, the size of a type B777 airliner it also had a vague shape (we see it as an airplane from behind, with the only difference that it was hovering and really very low). We were all surprised knowing all the laws of the current avionics.

I would be grateful if you would keep me informed of any explanations you may have, I am at your entire disposal for further explanations if necessary.

Regards »

The observation was made from the D217, while the witnesses were traveling from Gresswiller (67) to Mollkirch (67).

To the right of the road was a forest, and to the left a huge open meadow. The UAP was seen just above the tops of the trees located beyond the meadow, in the direction of Rosenwiller (67), that is to say towards the South-East. The elements provided by the witness make it possible to find the place of the observation (Figures 1 and 2).

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Figure 1: reconstruction of the observation site (image: witness)

Figure 2: reconstruction of the place of observation (image: Google Street View)

The vision of the witnesses depending on the vegetation bordering the left side of the road, the observation could only be made on a section of approximately 440 meters in length. The car of the witnesses circulating at approximately 70/80 km/h, the observation could not last more than 30 seconds at the most. This is the observation time estimated by the witness (Figure 3).

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Figure 3: reconstruction of the observation site (image: Google Earth)

The UAP is described as having the shape of a Boeing 777-type airliner seen from behind, but seen hovering.

It should be noted that the witness was accompanied by four other people who also saw the UAP: his partner, his sister-in-law and his two daughters. However, none of these people gave evidence.

No other witnesses were found.

3- PROCEDURE OF THE INVESTIGATION

The file is transmitted to a remote investigator on November 25, 2019.

Astronomical situation: a reconstruction on Stellarium for Strasbourg (67), a city located 25 km east of the place of observation, on April 19, 2019 at 2:30 p.m., shows that the only star visible in the sky was the Sun, at 50° angular height to the South-South-West (Figure 4).

Figure 4: astronomical situation (image: Stellarium)

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Weather situation: the nearest meteorological station having kept records as of the date of the observation is that of Obernai (67), located 9 km south-east of the place of observation. The data indicates the absence of rain, a temperature of around 23°C and a light wind between 8 and 10 km/h blowing from the North-East (Figure 5).

Figure 5: weather situation (image: Infoclimat)

Satellite images show that the sky was very clear, with nevertheless clouds forming over the Vosges massif (Figure 6).

Figure 6: weather situation (image: Meteociel)

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Aeronautical situation: the witness did not mention having seen an airplane during the sighting.

A reconstruction on Flightradar24 for the entire time slot indicated by the witness (2:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.) shows that a Smartwings Boeing 737 from Metz-Nancy was in the landing phase to land in Strasbourg. It flew over the observation site around 2:30 p.m. (Figure 7).

Figure 7: aeronautical situation (image: Flightradar24)

Astronomical situation: the observation having taken place in broad daylight, any astronomical misinterpretation is excluded.

3.1. SUMMARY OF COLLECTED ELEMENTS

UNIQUE TESTIMONY

# QUESTION RESPONSE (AFTER INVESTIGATION)
A1 Commune and witness observation department (ex: Paris (75))
A2 (opt) if town unknown (during a trip): Town of start of trip; End of move town
A3 (opt) if during a trip: name of Boat, Route or Flight / aircraft number D217 from Gresswiller (67) to Mollkirch (67)
Conditions of observation of the phenomenon (for each witness)
B1 Occupation of the witness before the sighting "Nothing special, we joined in order to go for a walk on Mont St Odile"
B2 Precise address of the place of observation LAT 48.5235 LONG 7.4131
B3 Description of the place of observation "in my car" "D217 About 7 kilometers in the direction west south east"
B4 Observation date (DD/MM/YYYY) 19/04/2019
B5 Observation start time (HH:MM:SS) 2:30 p.m./3:00 p.m.
B6 Duration of observation (s) or End time 30 seconds

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(HH:MM:SS)
B7 Any other witnesses? If yes, how many? "4 people besides myself"
B8 (opt) If yes, what is the link with other cookies? "XXX (my girlfriend)
XXX (my sister-in-law)
XXX (her granddaughter)
XXX (her young daughter)"
B9 Continuous or discontinuous observation? "Continue for 30 seconds"
B10 If discontinuous, why did the observation stop?
B11 What caused the observation to end? "The trees hid our view"
B12 Phenomenon observed directly? "YES"
B13 UAP observed with an instrument? (which one?) "Nothing at all"
B14 Weather "Clear skies no clouds"
B15 Astronomical conditions "Sun does not obstruct our view, it must have been almost vertical"
B16 Equipment on or active "Nothing at all"
B17 Known external noise sources "No engine sound, except that of our car anyway we were too far to hear a noise emanating from the observed device"
Description of the perceived phenomenon
C1 Number of phenomena observed? "Single"
C2 Shape "That of an airplane seen from behind"
C3 Color "Gray"
C4 Brightness "Usual during the day"
C5 Trail or halo? "None"
C6 Apparent size (maximum) "Estimation given the distance separating us from the phenomenon that of a large airliner type B 777"
C7 Noise coming from the phenomenon? "None"
C8 Estimated distance (if possible) "7 Kilometers"
C9 Azimuth of appearance of the UAP (°) "D 217 about 3 kilometers after leaving Gresswiller heading south south east; hovering above the treetops on the hill to the east"
C10 AP appearance height (°) "Between 30 and 45° 20 meters above the trees"
C11 Azimuth of disappearance of the UAP (°) "The same it was hovering"
C12 Height of disappearance of the UAP (°) "20 meters above the trees"
C13 Trajectory of the phenomenon "Stationary"
C14 Portion of the sky covered by the UAP "None"
C15 Effect(s) on the environment None
For the following, simply indicate whether the witness answered these questions
D1 Reconstruction on sketch / plan / photo of the observation? YES

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E1 Emotions felt by the witness during and after the observation? YES
E2 What did the witness do after the sighting? YES
E3 What interpretation does he give to what he observed? YES
E4 Interest in UAPs before observation? YES
E5 Has the witness's opinion on UAPs changed? YES
E6 Does the witness think science will explain UAPs? YES
E7 Did the experience change anything in the life of the witness? YES

4- ASSUMPTIONS CONSIDERED

4.1. ASSUMPTION ANALYSIS

A privileged hypothesis: an aeronautical observation.

The description of the UAP indeed very strongly evokes this explanatory hypothesis, insofar as the UAP is described as having the vague shape of a Boeing 777. Only the apparent immobility of the UAP seems strange or inconsistent with the hypothesis.

The aeronautical situation shows that only two planes flew fairly close over the observation sector during the time slot indicated by the witness: a Boeing 737 from the company Smartwings around 2:30 p.m. and flight HOP61LP at 2:47 p.m.

A reconstruction on Flightradar24 shows that flight HOP61LP did not pass southeast of the observation site, but flew directly over it during its take-off phase towards Lyon, which absolutely does not correspond to the UAP (Figures 8 and 9).

Figure 8: reconstruction of flight HOP61LP (image: Flightradar24)

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Figure 9: reconstruction of flight HOP61LP (image: Flightradar24)

The Smartwings Boeing 737, registered TVS3443, on the other hand, is more consistent with the description of the UAP, since it passed to the South-East of the place of observation before landing at Strasbourg airport (Figures 10 and 11).

Figure 10: reconstruction of flight TVS3443 (image: Flightradar24)

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Figure 11: reconstruction of flight TVS3443 (image: Flightradar24)

It should be noted that this plane passed about 9 km southeast of the place of observation, which is very close to the distance estimated by the witness (7 km).

It should also be noted that flight TVS3443 had an altitude of 3500 feet (1067 meters) at 2:26 p.m. and 2875 feet (876 meters) at 2:27 p.m. This corresponds to an angular height slightly greater than the local landscape. This is very consistent with the description of the UAP.

The apparent immobility of the UAP can be explained by the fact that the witnesses were heading south or southwest, while flight TVS3443 was heading northeast, which may have cause a pivot effect in relation to the landscape serving as a reference. The speed of the plane was reduced, since it was in the landing phase: its speed was thus about 150 knots, or about 278 km/h. In addition, the observation was carried out over a fairly short time (30 seconds). Which did not allow perceiving the displacement.

In the absence of other testimony, it is impossible to have a more precise schedule for the observation, as well as a comparison between the different descriptions of the PAN.

The TVS3443 aircraft can truly explain the sighting. It should be noted that the observation conditions must have contributed to the witnesses not recognizing an airplane: short duration, car journey.

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4.2. SUMMARY OF ASSUMPTIONS

HYPOTHESIS(S) ASSESSMENT*
1. plane 0.825
*Reliability of the hypothesis estimated by the interviewer: certain (100%); strong (>80%); medium (40% to 60%); low (20% to 40%); very low (<20%); null (0%)
1. plane - Evaluation of the elements for the hypothesis # 50789
ITEM ARGUMENTS FOR ARGUMENTS AGAINST or MARGIN OF ERROR FOR/AGAINST
description UAP resembling an airplane - no sketch of the UAP - unique testimony despite several witnesses 0.80
schedule TVS3443 flying over the place of observation in the time slot indicated by the witness - imprecise observation schedule 0.50
trajectory - trajectory of flight TVS3443 very consistent with the UAP (time, distance and angular height in relation to the landscape) - immobility of the UAP explainable by a pivot effect and a short observation period (30 seconds) - very low margin of error 0.90

4.3. CONSISTENCY ANALYSIS

Although this case has multiple witnesses, only one has testified. However, this witness is quite precise, except at the level of the schedule which remains rather vague. The consistency of the case is therefore average.

5- CONCLUSION

The testimony is of medium consistency: several witnesses, but unique testimony, no photo or video.

This case turns out to be a sighting of an airliner.

A check on Flightradar24 shows that two planes flew over the observation site at low altitude at times that may correspond to the observation. However, only flight TVS3443, Boeing 737, landing at Strasbourg airport, presents the characteristics of UAP: passage a few km to the southeast and low angular height in relation to the landscape.

The perceived strangeness is due to the size of the UAP ("the device was huge, the size of a B777 type airliner") and its apparent immobility.

A Boeing 737 is actually shorter than the B777 referenced by the witness, but a size estimate depends heavily on the associated distance estimate, so the B737 can be considered compatible with the mention " enormous aircraft type B777" formulated by the witness.

The immobility of the UAP can be explained by a pivot effect, in relation to the landscape serving as a reference insofar as the witnesses were moving by car, moreover, the pace of the The plane was reduced, since it was in the landing phase (its speed was thus about 150 knots, or about 278 km/h) and the observation was carried out over a fairly short time (30 seconds).

The case is classified as A, sighting of an airliner.

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6- CLASSIFICATION

Discussion:

Map.

There are several elements in the driver's testimony that put things into perspective. For example, the craft is said to be "above the trees", or "fairly close to the treetops", but the quantitative estimate he gives, "Between 30 and 45° 20 meters at above the trees", clearly shows that it should not be thought that the craft "grazed" these trees; at 30 to 45°, it is fairly well above the trees; which is entirely consistent with an airliner in landing approach.

We also see that beyond the meadow, the horizon is occupied by hills, which places the plane even higher than if the horizon were flat.

The hovering was obviously the classic possible illusion, the observation lasting no more than 30 seconds, and the witnesses being driving at 70 - 80 km/h.

The Smartwings Boeing 737 from Metz-Nancy which was in approach to land at the Strasbourg - Entzheim airport, which flew over the observation site around 2:30 p.m., as spotted by GEIPAN on FlightRadar24, is certainly the best explanation for this sighting.

This airliner (pictured below) is white, with metallic gray wings, with red emblems on the fin and fuselage; these red emblems are not visible with the aircraft seen from the rear.

Avion.

However, I want to cite a different possible explanation, but not confirmed, which would explain the astonishment of the witnesses: the dirigible of the company Airship Paris, leased from the Zeppelin company.

This airship was seen, and mistaken for a UFO or potential UFO, over the Bas-Rhin on July 24, 2014 from Odratzheim, July 11, 2014 in Mutzig and near Sarre-Union. We also have a Zeppelin airship seen and photographed in Artzenheim, on May 2, 2020.

Unfortunately, I could not find a flight schedule anywhere; I can only say that the first commercial flights were in 2013 on Paris and the Val d'Oise, and that it was seen over the Bas-Rhin in 2014 and 2020.

Evaluation:

Airliner.

Sources references:

* = Source is available to me.
? = Source I am told about but could not get so far. Help needed.

File history:

Authoring:

Main author: Patrick Gross
Contributors: None
Reviewers: None
Editor: Patrick Gross

Changes history:

Version: Create/changed by: Date: Description:
0.1 Patrick Gross March 26, 2023 Creation, [gei1].
1.0 Patrick Gross March 26, 2023 First published.

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