The Trans-en-Provence Case (1981)

The Trans-en-Provence Case is one of the most well-documented and compelling cases in the history of UFO research. The incident occurred on January 8, 1981, in Trans-en-Provence, France, when a local farmer named Renato Nicolai reported seeing a saucer-shaped object land in his field.

Nicolai reported that the object was about 2 meters in diameter and made no sound as it landed. After several minutes, the object took off again, leaving behind a circular burn mark on the ground that measured about 4 meters in diameter. The burn mark was said to be consistent with the heat generated by a powerful jet engine, and investigators later found evidence of high levels of radiation in the area.

The incident gained widespread attention in France and throughout the world, and was investigated by numerous government agencies, including the French national police and the French space agency. The investigation concluded that the incident was a genuine UFO sighting, and that the object seen by Nicolai was of unknown origin.

The Trans-en-Provence Case has been covered in several books and documentaries on UFOs, including “UFOs and the National Security State” by Richard Dolan and “The UFO Encyclopedia” by Jerome Clark. In his book, “Phenomena,” investigative journalist Annie Jacobsen argues that the Trans-en-Provence Case is one of the most compelling and well-documented cases of a UFO landing ever recorded, and that the incident deserves further scientific investigation.

The specific claims made in the Trans-en-Provence Case are numerous and varied. Witnesses reported seeing a saucer-shaped object land in the field, and then take off again after several minutes. The object was said to emit no sound, and to have left behind a circular burn mark on the ground that was consistent with the heat generated by a powerful jet engine. Investigators also found evidence of high levels of radiation in the area.