Sighting in Bayeux, October 22, 2023

Shortly after midnight, a lone witness standing in the garden of a house noticed an aerial phenomenon. It first moved quickly in a straight line from the south-east toward the east-south-east, appearing as a steady red light. It then stopped, and two lights became visible, one red and one green, alternating at one-second intervals. A pale yellow conical beam then came out of the object, pointing at the ground and sweeping across it. This phase lasted six to seven seconds. The object then set off again instantly toward the east, moving in a zigzag for about two seconds before disappearing.

The case has medium consistency: there was only one witness and no photo or video. The GEIPAN examined two hypotheses, a helicopter or a drone. The red and green lights match the regulatory signalling of both types of aircraft, and both can fly fast or hover. The pale yellow spotlight can also be fitted to either, and such powerful lights are now easily available to the public. However, the abrupt stop, the restart at full speed with no noticeable acceleration and the zigzagging fit a drone's capabilities better.

The Centre National des Opérations Aériennes reported no radar trace at that place and time. The investigation found no helicopter use that night by the army, the civil security services, Le Havre airport or a private hotel business. The lack of any noise heard is not decisive, since the wind was not carrying sound and distance may also have played a part. If it was a drone, its owner broke several rules: night flying, flying in an urban area and flying over a restricted zone. The GEIPAN classified the case as B: probable observation of a drone.