Socorro Incident - April 24, 1964

Executive Summary

On April 24, 1964, Police Sergeant Lonnie Zamora of Socorro, New Mexico, witnessed a landed oval-shaped craft with two small humanoid figures near a remote arroyo. The encounter lasted approximately 10 minutes and resulted in physical trace evidence including four landing pad impressions, burned vegetation, and metal scrapings. This case became one of Project Blue Book’s most thoroughly investigated “unidentified” cases and is considered among the most credible UFO landing reports due to Zamora’s professional background and the extensive physical evidence.

Witness Profile

Sergeant Lonnie Zamora

Age: 31 years old
Occupation: Socorro Police Department Sergeant
Experience: 6 years law enforcement
Reputation: Highly respected officer, no prior UFO interest
Character: Conservative, reliable, family man
Post-Incident: Maintained consistent account until death in 2009

Event Timeline

Initial Chase (5:45 PM)

Activity: Pursuing speeding car south of Socorro
Location: US Highway 85
Interruption: Heard loud roar and saw flame in sky
Decision: Abandoned pursuit to investigate possible explosion

Discovery Phase (5:50 PM)

Location: Remote arroyo, 150 yards from nearest road
Initial Observation: Shiny object in arroyo
First Assumption: Overturned car with possible injuries
Approach: Drove toward object to offer assistance

Close Encounter (5:52 PM)

Distance: Approximately 150 feet from object
Object Description: White/aluminum colored, egg-shaped, about car-sized
Beings Observed: Two small figures in white coveralls
Duration: 15-20 seconds of observation
Reaction: Figures appeared startled by his presence

Object Departure (5:55 PM)

Sound: Loud roar increasing in intensity
Flame: Blue flame visible beneath object
Liftoff: Object rose vertically then moved horizontally
Speed: Accelerated rapidly out of sight
Direction: Southwest toward distant mountains

Physical Evidence

Landing Site Impressions

Pattern: Four rectangular impressions in hard ground
Dimensions: 3.5 x 1.5 inches each, 2-3 inches deep
Arrangement: Quadrilateral pattern, 12 feet apart
Weight Distribution: Consistent with four-legged landing gear
Preservation: Impressions photographed and measured

Vegetation Damage

Burned Areas: Several small areas of burned vegetation
Plant Types: Greasewood and other desert plants
Burn Pattern: Consistent with intense heat from below
Fresh Damage: Plants still smoking when investigated
Documentation: Extensive photography of damaged vegetation

Metal Traces

Location: Small metal scrapings found near landing site
Analysis: Submitted for laboratory examination
Results: Unknown metallic composition
Significance: Not matching any known local materials

Soil Disturbance

Footprints: Small shoe prints near landing impressions
Size: Estimated children’s size footwear
Pattern: Movement around object perimeter
Preservation: Photographed before degradation

Investigation and Response

Initial Response

Backup Called: Sergeant Sam Chavez arrived within minutes
Scene Preservation: Landing site secured and documented
State Police: Captain Richard Holder notified
FBI Contact: Federal Bureau of Investigation informed

Project Blue Book Investigation

Lead Investigator: Major Hector Quintanilla Jr.
Duration: Extensive multi-week investigation
Scope: Witness interviews, site analysis, background checks
Conclusion: Case classified as “unidentified”

Additional Investigations

FBI Analysis: Detailed federal investigation
Scientific Consultation: Dr. J. Allen Hynek involvement
Independent Researchers: Multiple civilian investigator analyses
Media Coverage: Extensive national press attention

Technical Analysis

Object Characteristics

Shape: Egg or oval-shaped
Size: Approximately 15-20 feet long, 8 feet high
Color: White or aluminum appearance
Surface: Smooth, no visible seams or markings
Legs: Red marking or insignia visible on side

Performance Capabilities

Vertical Takeoff: Silent hover to loud roar departure
Acceleration: Rapid acceleration beyond conventional aircraft
Maneuverability: Precise landing in difficult terrain
Propulsion: Blue flame suggesting advanced propulsion system

Being Descriptions

Height: Approximately 4-5 feet tall
Clothing: White coveralls or jumpsuit
Behavior: Appeared to be conducting ground operations
Reaction: Startled by police officer’s presence
Departure: Quickly entered craft upon detection

Credibility Assessment

Supporting Factors

Witness Background: Experienced law enforcement officer
Physical Evidence: Multiple types of physical traces
Immediate Reporting: No delay in reporting incident
Consistency: Account remained consistent over 45 years
No Motivation: No financial or publicity motivation

Verification Elements

Multiple Investigators: Independent verification by various agencies
Technical Analysis: Scientific examination of evidence
Background Check: Thorough investigation of Zamora’s character
Corroboration: Some supporting witness accounts
Site Preservation: Evidence documented before contamination

Alternative Explanations Considered

Conventional Aircraft

Performance Issues: No known aircraft capable of vertical takeoff/landing in 1964
Noise Pattern: Sound inconsistent with helicopters or jets
Landing Site: Terrain unsuitable for conventional aircraft
Flight Characteristics: Maneuvers exceeded known capabilities

Experimental Technology

Military Projects: No acknowledged testing in area
Corporate Development: No civilian experimental aircraft matched
Classified Programs: Government denied any involvement
Technology Level: Capabilities exceeded 1964 technology

Natural Phenomena

Ball Lightning: Duration and behavior inconsistent
Dust Devil: No meteorological conditions present
Hallucination: Physical evidence contradicts psychological explanation
Mirage: Physical traces rule out optical illusion

Hoax Scenarios

Zamora’s Character: Reputation inconsistent with hoax
Physical Evidence: Difficult to fabricate all trace evidence
Timing: No advance planning possible
Investigation: Extensive investigation found no hoax evidence

Scientific Evaluation

Dr. J. Allen Hynek Assessment

Initial Skepticism: Approached case with scientific skepticism
Evidence Review: Thorough examination of all evidence
Conclusion: “One of the most puzzling cases in Blue Book files”
Significance: Case influenced Hynek’s UFO research approach

Physical Evidence Analysis

Laboratory Testing: Metal samples analyzed
Soil Analysis: Ground disturbance patterns studied
Radiation Testing: No unusual radiation detected
Photography: Extensive photographic documentation

Long-term Impact

UFO Research Influence

Case Study Standard: Became model for UFO investigation
Evidence Criteria: Established standards for physical evidence
Witness Credibility: Demonstrated importance of reliable witnesses
Investigation Protocol: Influenced future investigation methods

Government Response

Blue Book Policy: Case affected Project Blue Book conclusions
Classification: Remained officially “unidentified”
Documentation: Extensive official records preserved
Public Access: Files eventually released through FOIA

Cultural Significance

Media Coverage: Received extensive national attention
Scientific Community: Influenced scientific UFO research
Public Perception: Enhanced credibility of UFO reports
Tourism Impact: Socorro became UFO research destination

Contemporary Landing Cases

Levelland Incident (1957): EM effects pattern
Kelly-Hopkinsville (1955): Humanoid encounters
Delphos Case (1971): Physical landing traces
France Landing Cases: Similar European incidents

Law Enforcement Witnesses

Portage County Chase (1966): Multi-jurisdictional police chase
Exeter Incident (1965): Police officer sightings
Various Police Reports: Pattern of officer encounters

Current Status and Ongoing Research

Official Position

Project Blue Book: Remains “unidentified” in final report
Air Force: No official explanation provided
Government: Case acknowledged but unexplained
Academic: Studied in anomalous phenomena research

Site Preservation

Current Condition: Landing site still identifiable
Tourism: Marked historical location
Research Access: Available for continued investigation
Documentation: Original evidence preserved in archives

Ongoing Investigation

Modern Analysis: New technology applied to old evidence
Witness Interviews: Follow-up investigations conducted
Pattern Studies: Compared with similar cases worldwide
Scientific Research: Continued academic study

Conclusions

The Socorro Incident represents one of the most compelling UFO cases on record due to the combination of a highly credible witness, extensive physical evidence, thorough official investigation, and absence of conventional explanation. Sergeant Zamora’s professional background, the immediate availability of physical traces, and the comprehensive investigation by multiple agencies establish this case as a benchmark for UFO research.

The case demonstrates several key elements essential for credible UFO research:

Professional witness with no prior UFO interest
Immediate reporting and scene preservation
Multiple types of physical evidence
Thorough official investigation
Consistent testimony over decades

While various conventional explanations have been proposed, none adequately account for all aspects of the evidence. The case remains officially unexplained and continues to be studied as an example of anomalous aerial phenomena with substantial supporting evidence.

The Socorro Incident’s enduring significance lies not only in its evidence quality but in its influence on UFO investigation methodology and scientific approach to anomalous phenomena research.

References

Project Blue Book. “Case File: Socorro, New Mexico - April 24, 1964.” U.S. Air Force, 1964.
Hynek, J. Allen. “The UFO Experience: A Scientific Inquiry.” Henry Regnery Company, 1972.
Stanford, Ray. “Socorro ‘Saucer’ in a Pentagon Pantry.” Blueapple Books, 1976.
Clark, Jerome. “The UFO Encyclopedia.” Omnigraphics, 1998.
FBI Files. “Socorro UFO Incident Investigation Reports.” Federal Bureau of Investigation, 1964.