The Socorro UFO Landing: Lonnie Zamora Encounter

On April 24, 1964, Police Sergeant Lonnie Zamora of Socorro, New Mexico had an encounter that would become one of the most significant UFO cases in Project Blue Book history. The landing left physical evidence—burned vegetation, indentations in the ground, and metal traces—and was witnessed by a law enforcement officer of impeccable reputation.

The Witness

Lonnie Zamora was a patrolman with the Socorro Police Department, known for his reliability and thoroughness. He had served on the force for years and was respected by his colleagues and superiors. He had no interest in UFOs and no reason to fabricate a sensational story.

On the afternoon of April 24, Zamora was chasing a speeding car south of Socorro when he heard a roar and saw a flame in the sky to the southwest. Knowing that a dynamite shack was in that direction, he broke off the chase to investigate what he assumed was an explosion.

The Sighting

Zamora drove toward the disturbance, navigating rough terrain. Cresting a small hill, he saw a shiny object in a gully below, about 150 to 200 yards away. He initially thought it was an overturned car.

As he got closer, Zamora saw that the object was egg-shaped, about the size of a car, and standing on legs. It was whitish, like aluminum, and had a red insignia on the side—he later drew the symbol, which resembled an inverted V with a line through it.

Near the object, Zamora observed two figures in white coveralls. They appeared to be small adults, “normal in shape—but possibly they were small adults or large kids.” One figure seemed startled at his approach and jumped.

The Departure

Zamora stopped his car and got out, intending to approach. He heard several thumps, like doors closing. Then the object began to emit a loud roar and produce flames. Zamora ran, thinking it might explode, and dove behind his car.

The object rose slowly, the roar ceasing once it was airborne. It moved away to the southwest, gaining altitude and speed, until it disappeared over the mountains. The entire encounter lasted perhaps two minutes.

The Evidence

Zamora immediately radioed Sergeant Sam Chavez, who arrived within minutes. Together they examined the landing site. The evidence was unmistakable:

Four depressions in the ground formed a quadrilateral pattern consistent with landing gear marks. The depressions were wedge-shaped, as if made by mechanical struts.

The desert vegetation around the site was burned. Greasewood bushes were still smoking. The ground showed scorch marks.

Small pieces of metal were found at the site. Later analysis proved inconclusive about their origin.

Investigation

The case immediately drew attention. Project Blue Book investigator J. Allen Hynek came to Socorro, finding Zamora credible and the physical evidence compelling. Hynek noted that Zamora seemed embarrassed by the experience and would have preferred it hadn’t happened.

The FBI also investigated, as did the Air Force. No conventional explanation was found. The case remained classified as “unknown” in Project Blue Book files.

Investigations ruled out various possibilities. No experimental aircraft matched the description. No hoax was discovered. The physical evidence supported Zamora’s account.

The Insignia

The red insignia Zamora saw on the craft has generated much discussion. He drew it consistently in early interviews: an arc over an arrow pointing upward. Some researchers suggest the symbol might identify the craft’s origin or operators.

The insignia has not been matched to any known military, corporate, or national symbol. Its meaning, if any, remains unknown.

Skeptical Views

Skeptics have proposed various explanations. Some suggested a lunar module test vehicle from nearby White Sands Missile Range, though NASA denied any such tests that day. Others proposed an elaborate hoax by local college students, though no evidence of this has emerged despite decades of investigation.

Zamora himself remained puzzled by the experience for the rest of his life. He did not seek publicity and seemed uncomfortable with the attention the case brought. He never changed his story.

Significance

The Socorro case is considered one of the most significant UFO incidents ever documented. The quality of the witness, the physical evidence, the investigation by multiple government agencies, and the absence of any conventional explanation make it a cornerstone case in ufology.

Whatever Lonnie Zamora encountered in the New Mexico desert in 1964, it left traces that scientists could study and testimony that has never been seriously challenged. The Socorro UFO landing remains as mysterious today as it was more than fifty years ago.