Lonnie Zamora Incident (Socorro)
A police officer saw an egg-shaped craft with two beings nearby. Physical traces remained—landing pad impressions and burned brush. The Air Force investigated. Project Blue Book called it unexplained.
Police officer Lonnie Zamora’s 1964 encounter near Socorro, New Mexico remains one of the most credible UFO cases, featuring physical evidence and an impeccable witness.
The Encounter
According to documented accounts:
On April 24, 1964, Officer Zamora was chasing a speeding car when:
- He heard a roar and saw a flame in the distance
- Thinking it was an accident, he drove toward it
- He saw an egg-shaped white object in a gully
- Two small figures in white coveralls stood near it
- One appeared to turn toward him, startled
- The object rose with a roar and flew away
The Craft
Zamora described:
- An egg or oval-shaped white object
- About the size of a car
- Supported by legs
- A red insignia or symbol on the side
- No windows visible
- Flame and roar during takeoff (but strangely quiet once airborne)
The Beings
He briefly saw two figures:
- Small, like children or small adults
- Wearing white coveralls
- Standing near the craft
- They appeared surprised by his arrival
Physical Evidence
After the craft departed:
- Burned bushes and ground were found
- Four landing pad impressions in the dirt
- The impressions were arranged in a perfect pattern
- The soil was fused where the flame hit
- Measurements were taken by investigators
The Investigation
Multiple agencies investigated:
Project Blue Book: The Air Force’s UFO project investigated thoroughly. J. Allen Hynek, their scientific consultant, found Zamora credible.
FBI: Conducted their own investigation.
Local Police: Zamora’s fellow officers investigated the scene.
Project Blue Book Conclusion
The case was listed as “Unknown”:
- One of the few cases Project Blue Book couldn’t explain
- Physical evidence corroborated the account
- The witness was highly credible
- No conventional explanation fit
Zamora’s Credibility
Lonnie Zamora was considered an ideal witness:
- Experienced police officer
- No history of making claims
- Visibly shaken after the encounter
- Reluctant to talk publicly
- Maintained his account until his death in 2009
The Symbol
Zamora drew a symbol he saw on the craft:
- An inverted V with three bars beneath it
- The exact symbol has been debated
- Some suggest it was deliberately changed to protect the investigation
Skeptical Theories
Critics have proposed:
- A student prank (never confirmed)
- A lunar lander test (not conducted there)
- A balloon experiment (doesn’t explain beings or flight characteristics)
None satisfactorily explain all aspects.
Legacy
The Zamora case is significant because:
- An impeccable witness
- Physical evidence remained
- Official investigation found no explanation
- It remains a classic unexplained case