Sighting in Laragne-Montéglin, November 12, 2013

Early in the morning, a witness saw a multicolored light in the sky. It first stayed still for a while, then moved in a straight line before curving, at about the speed of a hot-air balloon. The light looked like a small vertical stick. The sighting lasted around twenty minutes, from 6:55 to 7:15 a.m., and no particular noise was heard. No other witness came forward.

GEIPAN noted that the area is suited to flights by small motorized craft, that the movement resembled that of such machines, and that night-flight regulations were being respected. On the other hand, no comparable navigation lighting was found, the nature and behavior of part of the phenomenon remain unknown, and no event involving microlights (ULMs) or helicopters was reported on the day. The lights seen and some of the physical characteristics described do not match what is known of these craft; the varied colors could possibly be explained by atmospheric scintillation.

The testimony was considered consistent and very precise, but there were no photos or video. The case was classified C because there was not enough information: confusion with a microlight or a helicopter remains possible under certain conditions, but another origin cannot be ruled out. As the strangeness was only moderate, GEIPAN did not carry out a deeper investigation; further testimony could change this conclusion.