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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 Heiligenberg, on March 7, 2012:

Case number:

ALSACAT-2012-03-07-HEILIGENBERG-1

Summary:

On March 7, 2012, about noon, a retired Heiligenberg man observed with the naked eye from the courtyard of his house, an airliner at an altitude he estimated at approximately 10,000 meters.

This aircraft was followed by three objects "forming a triangle", moving to the north in a cloudless and slightly hazy sky.

The objects were very near the tail of the airliner, and they switched position. The witness heard a sound of normal airliner, and did not hear any noise of supersonic fighter aircraft.

When the plane disappeared gradually to the north, the objects still followed; the sighting lasted about three minutes.

The witness contacted GEIPAN a month later by sending them the completed GEIPAN report form.

Military air traffic control informed GEIPAN, referring to military operations and their radar records, that it was a C-135 tanker with one Mirage 2000 and two Rafale jet fighters following, performing an aerial refueling operation.

Data:

Temporal data:

Date: March 7, 2012
Time: ~Noon
Duration: ~3 minutes.
First known report date: April 11, 2012
Reporting delay: 1 month.

Geographical data:

Department: Bas-Rhin
City: Heiligenberg
Place: From the court of his house, UFO in the sky.
Latitude: 48.538
Longitude: 7.384
Uncertainty radius: 20 m

Witnesses data:

Number of alleged witnesses: 1
Number of known witnesses: 1
Number of named witnesses: 1
Witness(es) ages: 63
Witness(es) types: Retired reseident.

Ufology data:

Reporting channel: Reported directly to GEIPAN.
Type of location: From the court of his house, UFO in the sky.
Visibility conditions: Day, clear sky, sunny, sunlight from behind.
UFO observed: Yes
UFO arrival observed: ?
UFO departure observed: Yes
Entities: No
Photographs: No.
Sketch(s) by witness(es): Yes.
Sketch(es) approved by witness(es): Yes.
Witness(es) feelings: ?
Witnesses interpretation: ?

Classifications:

Hynek: DD
ALSACAT: Jet fighters in aerial refueling.

Sources:

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

HEILIGENBERG (67) 03/07/2012
Observed on: 03/07/2012
Region: Alsace
Department: Rhin (Bas)
Class: A
Summary: Observation of the passage of a plane followed by three objects forming a triangle: aerial military maneuvers.
Description:

On March 7, 2012, around noon, a witness is intrigued by the passage in the sky of an airliner followed by three objects forming a triangle. The objects are very close to the tail of the plane and they interchanged their places behind the airliner.

The observer has witnessed exceptional maneuvering of military aircraft. The detailed explanation is given in the attached document (radar trace).

This case is classified "A": observation of aerial military maneuvers.

Report: None.

Details of the testimony

Witness
Date of the observation 03/07/2012
Document number
Age Adult (more than 60)
Occupation Retired
Sex Male
Reaction Active Curiosity
Credibility
Conditions
Environment Home
Weather conditions Clear Sky
Hour of the observation Numbered : noon - 2 p.m.
Reference frame Sky or clouds
Distance between phenomenon and witness Very far (more than 1 km)
Start of the observation Start of the observation by witness
End of the observation End of the observation by phenomenon
Localization
Angle of the site Aa the Zenit;Not-specified
Direction of observation Not-Specified
Heading Not-Specified
Trajectory Straight line;Straight line
Nature of the observation Object
Caracteristic of the observation Multiple of different shape
Global shape Not-Specified
Color Not-Specified
Apparent size Not-Specified
Apparent speed Not-Specified
Noise Not-Specified
Effect on the environment Not-Specified
Number 2

Scan.

Received April 11, 2012

CNES

CENTRE NATIONAL D'ETUDES SPATIALES

geipan

GROUPE D'ETUDES ET D'INFORMATIONS SUR LES PHENOMENES AEROSPATIAUX NON IDENTIFIES


PLACE FOR USE OF GEIPAN

Name of the case:

THE INFORMATIONS CONTENAINED IN THIS QUESTIONNAIRE WILL REMAIN ANONYMOUS


WITNESS INFORMATION SHEET

Name:
Date of birth: 05/03/1949
Sex: M

Home address:

City: [-]
Email [-]
Mobile phone: [-]

Professional occupation: Retired

Traning level: BAC

Did you already report? If yes, to:

[ ] Gendarmerie - Squad:
[ ] GEIPAN - Name:
[ ] Enquêteur privé - Name:
[ ] Ufologist(s) - Name:
[ ] Journalist(s) - Name:
[ ] Internet (Forum) - Site:
[ ] Other - Name:

CNES-GEIPAN STANDARD INDIVIDUAL QUESTIONNAIRE V2.01

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OBSERVED PHENOMENON

Place of observation of the phenomenon: Heiligenberg

Exact address: 168 Rue Oberweg

City: HEILIGENBERG CP: 67190

Date of observation: MARCH 07, 2012

Age at the time of the observation: 63

Hour of the start of the observation: approx NOON (12 o'clock)

Duration of the observation: approx 3 mn

Did other witnesses see the same phenomenon, if so, how many:


Could you indicate by using the Google Map (http://maps.google.fr) website theplace of the observation, locating yourself and the phenomenon with a pencil.

1. Print the map from Google Map
2. Indicate your position, and that of the observation


When you have finished the questionnaire, check mark the documents you joined or filled:

Free narrative Attached [X]
Questionnaire [X]
Photographs of the environment (number: )
Sketch of the observed phenomenon (number: ) [X]
Google Map maps or plans (number: )
Photographs of the observation (number: )
Videos of the observation (number: )
Other:

CNES-GEIPAN STANDARD INDIVIDUAL QUESTIONNAIRE V2.01 - Page 3

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FREE NARRATIVE

Observation BaS-Rhin

That date Wednesday, March 7, 2012 - have observed around noon - Mutzig region - Place of observation: Heiligenberg - an airliner (altitude approx 10.000 m.) - Followed by 3 objects forming a triangle - moving to North - Clear sky - no clouds - slightly hazy - observation duration: approx 3 min - the objects were very close to the tail of the plane - saw these 3 objects switching positions - normal airliner noise - no sound of possible supersonic fighter - when the plane disappeared gradually northwards, these objects were still following - (attached sketch). Greetings [-].

Scan.

I. INFORMATION ON THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE OBSERVATION

This part is about knowing the physical environment in which you were at the time of the observation. Be as specific as possible with maximum numerical indications. Always indicate the margin uncertainty of the numbers you provide.


Weather conditions at the time of the observation

1.1 Indicate the color of the sky: Blue

1.2 Indicate the weather at the time of observation, try to give the most possible details even those who do not seem interesting, describe if there have been changes before, during and after the observation.

slight haze but good visibility

1.3 Indicate the presence of stars in the sky:

[ ] No visible star
[ ] Few stars
[ ] Starry sky
[ ] Extraordinarily starry sky
[ ] I did not pay attention
[ ] An obstacle prevented me to observe them

CNES-GEIPAN STANDARD INDIVIDUAL QUESTIONNAIRE V2.01 - Page 7

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DESCRIPTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT

Try to take one or several photos of your observations places. Photos are of a great help for the investigation.

1.4 Describe the environment you were in at the time of the observation. Provide as much detail as possible, even those that do not seem important to you, such as soil type, lights, etc.

observation made in the yard of my home (house)

1.5 Were you moving? No

1.6 Were you inside a vehicle? No

[ ] Bicyle
[ ] Car
[ ] Bus
[ ] Train
[ ] Hot air balloon
[ ] Deltaplane
[ ] Ultralight
[ ] Small plane
[ ] Commercial plane
[ ] Helicopter
[ ] Boat
[ ] Other:

Model and identification:

1.7 Were you inside a building? No

Nature of the building and room of observation:

1.8 Lighted or working equipments:

[ ] Radio (frequency: )
[ ] Headlights (number: )
[ ] Inside lights (number: )
[ ] Television set (channel: )
[ ] Engine
[ ] Telephone
[ ] Radar
[ ] Other:

1.9 Did you see the phenomenon directly with your eyes? Yes

CNES-GEIPAN STANDARD INDIVIDUAL QUESTIONNAIRE V2.01 - Page 8

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1.10 Indicate the presence of installations within a 20 km radius:
If you can, indicate these locations on a map or Google Map image.

[ ] Power plan
[ ] Discotheque
[X] Commercial area
[X] Military area
[ ] Nuclear plant
[ ] Stadium
[X] Highway
[X] Radio antennas
[ ] solar plant
[X] Airoprt ENTZHEIM
[ ] Harbor, lighthouse
[ ] Phone antennas
[ ] Wind turbine
[ ] Power line
[ ] Railyway
[X] Industrial area

[ ] Plant. Specify the type(s) of associated activity(ies): No industrial activity in HEILIGENBERG

[ ] Property or castle hosting manifestations (weddings, parties):

[ ] Other, specify:

Additional details on the installations, if necessary:

1.11 Were there known sources of noises at the time of the observation, were these noises intense, permanents: (chat, planes engines, car, electric engines, television sets, radio):

Only the noise of the plane (usual sound)

CNES-GEIPAN STANDARD INDIVIDUAL QUESTIONNAIRE V2.01 - Page 9

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Conditions of observation

Try to take one or several photos of your observations places. Photos are of a great help for the investigation.

1.12 What was your visibility at the time of the 'observation?

good (no clouds) and sun seen on the South, so no obstacle during the visualisation.

1.13 Were there objects between you and the phenomenon during the observation? No

[ ] Camera
[ ] Window
[ ] Tinted window
[ ] Window with steam
[ ] Video device
[ ] Glasses
[ ] Binocular
[ ] Telescope
[ ] Other:

If you used an optical device, specify the model, its key features. If you were behind a tinted window, specify its color, etc.:

1.14 What was the minimum distance to the observed phenomenon? Try to justify this assessment.

About 10.0000m (Airliner)

1.15 Describe everything that hindered the observation.

1.16 Was the observation constant or interrupted?

Constant

CNES-GEIPAN STANDARD INDIVIDUAL QUESTIONNAIRE V2.01 - Page 10

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II. DESCRIPTION OF THE PHENOMENON

This part of the questionnaire it to precisely describe the appearance of the phenomenon, from its shape, size, color, brightness, noise, trajectory etc. ... Remember, every detail is important.


Description of the phenomenon

2.1 Describe the observed phenomenon by giving as many details as possible, indicate the mains color or the colors, its dimension, its luminosity, its noise, the number.
(Do not hesitate to compare the global shape to a known object)

Global shape of the phenomenon.

Airliner heading North
3 objects * (See NARRATIVE) following the tail
of the Aircraft. *(undefined color)

CNES-GEIPAN STANDARD INDIVIDUAL QUESTIONNAIRE V2.01 - Page 11

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Your observation in different steps

Each step corresponds to an episode of your observation. Each notable change of behavior, activity, shape of trajectory must be described by a different step.

Times (Start time, end time, duration) Place of observation (where were you exactly?) Direction of observation
Horizontal (cardinal direction, geographic landmarks or numbered)
Vertical (between the horizon and the zenith or numbered)
Speed (numbered or other) Direction of displacement of the phenomenon (it was going in the direction of, type of movements) Shape; Luminosity; Colors; Noises and other details
NOON min 03 HEILIGENBERG ? To the North Airliner noise

Scan.

Cas of HEILIGENBERG (67) of March 7, 2012, at 12:00

Opinion of the air traffic control center of the Air Force:

A supply axis was in TSA22 at that time. We identified that it could be the three tracks shown on the return: a C135 with two Rafale in axis exit.

Given the orientation of the sun at the time, it is possible that the person associated these luminous spots with the reflections on those fighters who were in inside bend over Heiligenberg. A Mirage 2000 was also in fueling phase during the release but in view of its proximity relative to the tanker, its trajectory appears to be confused with that of the tanker.

Furthermore, we have no further contact between 10h30z 11h30z on this sector that could match the description.

Radar tracks:

[Image of the radar tracks record.]

Discussion:

Map.

The case is solved, obviously.

KC-135 Stratotanker refuleing.

Above: A KC-135 Stratotanker refuleing a Dassault Rafale and a Dassault Mirage 2000 jet fighters.

From the witness narrative, it appears he did wonder whether the objects were supersonic jets. It seemed he gave up this explanation because he had not heard any "supersonic" jet noise. But of course, as the supersonic jets were wollowing the subsonic KC-135, they produced a subsonic noise only, and it was certainly mixed and covered by the similar and more powerful noise of the KC-135.

Evaluation:

Jet fighters in aerial refueling.

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
Editeur: Patrick Gross

Changes history:

Version: Create/changed by: Date: Description:
0.1 Patrick Gross April 12, 2016 Creation, [gei1].
1.0 Patrick Gross April 12, 2016 First published.

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This page was last updated on April 12, 2016.