Summary

On April 24, 1964, Socorro Police Officer Lonnie Zamora encountered what appeared to be a landed spacecraft with two small humanoid figures nearby. After the craft departed with a roar, investigators found physical evidence including landing pad impressions and burned vegetation. The case gained national attention and was thoroughly investigated by Project Blue Book, which classified it as “unknown.” Dr. J. Allen Hynek called it one of the most puzzling cases he had investigated.

The Chase

Initial Pursuit

At approximately 5:45 PM, Officer Zamora was pursuing a speeding vehicle when:

  • He heard a loud roar
  • Saw a flame in the sky to the southwest
  • Thought a dynamite shack might have exploded
  • Abandoned the chase to investigate

Difficult Approach

Zamora drove toward the area:

  • Rough gravel road
  • Steep hill requiring three attempts
  • Located about a mile from town
  • In an isolated gully

The Sighting

First Observation

Upon cresting the hill, Zamora saw:

  • A shiny object about 150-200 yards away
  • Initially thought it was an overturned car
  • Noticed two figures in white coveralls
  • Figures appeared to be small adults or children

The Figures

Zamora observed:

  • Two beings in white coveralls
  • Standing near the object
  • One turned and looked at him
  • Appeared startled by his presence
  • Quickly moved behind the object

The Object

As Zamora approached on foot:

  • Oval-shaped, aluminum-like appearance
  • Sitting on legs or landing gear
  • About the size of a car
  • Strange red insignia on the side
  • No visible windows or doors

The Departure

Frightening Takeoff

As Zamora got within 50 feet:

  • Loud roar began again
  • Blue and orange flames shot from bottom
  • Object began to rise slowly
  • Zamora dove behind his car for protection
  • Knocked off his glasses in the process

Flight Characteristics

The object:

  • Rose straight up about 10-15 feet
  • Stopped momentarily
  • Moved horizontally at high speed
  • Made no sound after initial roar
  • Disappeared over nearby mountains

Physical Evidence

Landing Site

Investigators found:

  • Four landing pad impressions
  • Formed rectangular pattern
  • Each depression 2-3 inches deep
  • Burned and fused sand
  • Smoldering grass and brush

Burn Patterns

The burned area showed:

  • Four separate burn marks
  • Corresponded to landing pad positions
  • Still warm when investigators arrived
  • Greasewood bushes charred
  • Metal fragments found (later inconclusive)

Investigation

Immediate Response

Within minutes:

  • Sergeant Sam Chavez arrived
  • Confirmed physical traces
  • Radioed for backup
  • Site secured from contamination

Project Blue Book

Major Hector Quintanilla sent:

  • Dr. J. Allen Hynek (scientific consultant)
  • Sergeant David Moody
  • Extensive investigation launched
  • Multiple visits to site

FBI Involvement

FBI agents also investigated:

  • Interviewed Zamora multiple times
  • Examined physical evidence
  • Checked for hoax possibilities
  • Found no evidence of deception

The Witness

Lonnie Zamora’s Character

  • 31 years old at time
  • Five years police experience
  • Well-respected in community
  • Known for reliability
  • No interest in UFOs prior

Personal Impact

Zamora:

  • Reluctant to discuss experience
  • Avoided publicity
  • Never profited from story
  • Maintained consistency throughout life
  • Wished it had never happened

Corroborating Witnesses

Additional Sightings

Several people reported:

  • Paul Kies and Larry Kratzer saw object in flight
  • Gas station operator saw object land
  • Two tourists reported similar craft
  • Timing matched Zamora’s account

Earlier Reports

Hours before Zamora’s sighting:

  • Similar object seen in La Madera
  • Described same insignia
  • Reported to police
  • 65 miles north of Socorro

Analysis Attempts

Project Blue Book Conclusions

Official investigation found:

  • No evidence of hoax
  • Physical evidence confirmed
  • No conventional explanation
  • Listed as “Unknown”

Dr. Hynek’s Assessment

“A hoax seems most unlikely… There is no question but that Lonnie Zamora saw an object which left quite visible traces behind.”

Debunking Attempts

Various theories proposed:

  • Lunar surveyor test (disproven)
  • Experimental aircraft (no match found)
  • Hot air balloon (couldn’t match performance)
  • Student prank (no evidence)

The Insignia

Zamora’s Drawing

The symbol Zamora saw:

  • Red insignia on side
  • Resembled an arrow with arc
  • Distinctive and unusual
  • Drew it multiple times
  • Consistent in all drawings

Significance

Some researchers noted:

  • Similar symbols in other cases
  • Possible identification marking
  • Never satisfactorily explained

Government Interest

High-Level Attention

The case attracted:

  • Pentagon officials
  • CIA interest (per released documents)
  • Congressional inquiries
  • Media attention nationwide

Military Investigation

Kirtland AFB investigators:

  • Checked for secret projects
  • Surveyed radiation levels
  • Analyzed soil samples
  • Found no conventional explanation

Alternative Theories

Terrestrial Technology

Suggestions included:

  • Lunar Module testing
  • Experimental VTOL aircraft
  • Classified military project
  • NASA test vehicle

All were investigated and eliminated.

Hoax Hypothesis

Extensive investigation found:

  • No accomplices identified
  • No hoax materials found
  • Physical evidence too extensive
  • Zamora had no motive
  • Character witnesses supportive

Scientific Analysis

Trace Evidence

Laboratory analysis revealed:

  • Fused sand required high heat
  • No chemical accelerants
  • Magnetic anomalies in soil
  • Plant damage consistent with heat/flame

Flight Physics

The object’s performance showed:

  • Vertical takeoff capability
  • Transition to horizontal flight
  • No visible propulsion in flight
  • Silent operation after takeoff

Cultural Impact

Media Coverage

  • National headlines
  • LIFE magazine feature
  • TV documentaries
  • International interest

Tourism

Socorro capitalized with:

  • Landing site markers
  • UFO-themed attractions
  • Annual commemorations
  • Tourist information

Long-Term Significance

UFO Research

The Socorro case influenced:

  • Physical trace protocols
  • Witness interview techniques
  • Site preservation methods
  • Government investigation procedures

Credibility Standards

Established benchmarks for:

  • Police witness reliability
  • Physical evidence requirements
  • Multi-witness corroboration
  • Scientific investigation methods

Modern Analysis

Continuing Mystery

Despite extensive investigation:

  • No conventional explanation found
  • Physical evidence remains puzzling
  • Witness credibility unchallenged
  • Technology still unidentified

Historical Importance

The Socorro landing remains significant for:

  • Quality of witness
  • Physical evidence
  • Thorough investigation
  • Government acknowledgment
  • Influence on UFO research

Conclusion

The Socorro incident stands as one of the most thoroughly investigated and well-documented UFO landing cases in history. Key factors include:

  • Credible police witness
  • Multiple corroborating sightings
  • Extensive physical evidence
  • Immediate investigation
  • No viable conventional explanation

Whether Lonnie Zamora encountered:

  • Experimental military craft
  • Extraterrestrial vehicle
  • Unknown natural phenomenon
  • Something else entirely

The case provides compelling evidence that structured craft of unknown origin have landed on Earth, leaving physical proof of their presence. Zamora’s integrity, combined with the physical evidence and official investigation results, makes Socorro a cornerstone case in UFO research that continues to challenge our understanding of what technologies may be operating in our skies and on our ground.