SEFAA Investigation Methodology / Scientific Approach to Aerial Anomalous Phenomena

The document details the SEFAA's use of the scientific method: observation of witness reports (including from pilots and controllers), formulation of questions, data gathering (meteorological records, air traffic data, photos/videos), hypothesis testing, experimentation/analysis, and final conclusions. Most cases are resolved with conventional explanations such as aircraft, drones, stars, meteorological phenomena, or balloons. Only reports providing original audiovisual material are prioritized for full investigation per current technical instructions. The office, established in 1997 as CEFAA and restructured in 2021 as SEFAA, has processed over 1,600 cases, the vast majority explained or closed without evidence of extraordinary aerial threats. Individual case reports (e.g., Case No. 2080) demonstrate application of this methodology, consistently finding no defence or safety risk beyond known phenomena.