Police officer Lonnie Zamora reports a landed craft and two figures near Socorro
April 24, 1964 · Socorro, New Mexico · Sighting · Primary document linked
At about 5:45 pm on 24 April 1964, Socorro police sergeant Lonnie Zamora broke off chasing a speeder after hearing a roar and seeing a flame. He reported a shiny egg-shaped object on legs in an arroyo, with two small figures in white coveralls, which then rose with a roar and flame and flew off. Burning brush and four depressions in the soil were found. The FBI called Zamora 'not given to fantasy'. Blue Book consultant J. Allen Hynek visited twice, and Project Blue Book listed the case as unidentified.
Why it matters (4/5)
A single-witness close encounter that Blue Book left listed as unexplained.
Caveats
Early guesses of a secret lunar-lander test were denied by White Sands officials. A later theory of a prank by New Mexico Tech students rests on a suspicion and no hoaxer has come forward. Accounts of the craft's markings and the trace measurements vary. The Blue Book file is linked but was not opened.
Sources
- Project Blue Book case file: Socorro, New Mexico, 24 April 1964 (U.S. Air Force (National Archives microfilm)), primary
- The Vault Files: The Socorro UFO Landing Incident, April 24, 1964 (The Black Vault), context