The Lonnie Zamora Close Encounter

On April 24, 1964, Socorro, New Mexico, police officer Lonnie Zamora had one of the most credible UFO encounters ever documented. His sighting of a landed craft and its occupants has never been explained.

The Approach

While chasing a speeding car, Zamora heard a roar and saw a flame in the sky. He abandoned the chase to investigate what he thought was an explosion. He found something far stranger.

The Craft

In a ravine, Zamora observed a white, egg-shaped craft standing on girder-like legs. A red insignia was visible on its side. Two small figures in white coveralls stood beside it. When they saw Zamora, they entered the craft.

The Departure

The craft emitted a roar and blue flame, rising from the ground. It moved away silently at high speed. Zamora fell, terrified. His glasses were knocked off. He could not reach the burned vegetation in time to examine it.

The Evidence

FBI Agent Arthur Byrnes and Army personnel investigated. They found four landing leg impressions and burned plants. The physical evidence matched Zamora’s account exactly.

Assessment

J. Allen Hynek of Project Blue Book called the Zamora case one of the strongest unexplained UFO reports. Zamora was a reliable witness with no motive to fabricate. What he saw that day remains unknown.