UFO sighted by plane crew in 1998

Summary

In August 1998, a DC10 aircraft crew reported an unusual luminous phenomenon. The pilot described six bright points moving rapidly along a straight, horizontal trajectory, leaving a long luminous trail. This testimony, the only one in the case, was submitted to the GEIPAN, which classified it as a possible meteorite entering the atmosphere. Although the description fits a fireball, the lack of precise data prevents confirming whether the object crossed or bounced off the atmosphere. The plane's location in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean explains why no other witnesses or photographic records were available.

The GEIPAN re-examined the case using new technological tools and accumulated experience. Despite the consistent testimony, the absence of other records and the event's brevity led to a classification of B, meaning a natural meteorological phenomenon. The pilot's detailed account, especially regarding the position and appearance of the objects, was crucial for the evaluation. However, the lack of testimonies from other crew members limited the depth of the analysis. Still, the case remains interesting due to its rarity and similarities to other recorded events.