The Socorro Landing

On April 24, 1964, Socorro police officer Lonnie Zamora witnessed an egg-shaped craft with two small figures land in the desert outside town. The case, thoroughly investigated by Project Blue Book and the FBI, left physical traces and transformed one skeptical cop into a reluctant believer.

The Officer

Lonnie Zamora:

• Socorro police sergeant
• 31 years old
• Respected officer
• No UFO interest
• Reluctant witness

The Chase

April 24, 1964:

• Around 5:45 PM
• Chasing speeding car
• Heard loud roar
• Saw flame in distance
• Broke off pursuit

Investigation

Zamora drove:

• Toward the flame
• Over rough terrain
• Found gully
• Saw object
• Stopped car

What He Saw

In the gully:

• White egg-shaped object
• On legs or landing gear
• Two small figures
• In white coveralls
• Near the craft

The Figures

Zamora described:

• Small, like children
• White clothing
• Near the object
• Noticed him
• Seemed startled

The Symbol

On the craft:

• Red insignia
• Strange symbol
• Zamora sketched it
• Distinctive marking
• Later debated

The Takeoff

Object rose:

• With roar
• Blue flame
• Rapidly ascended
• Heading southwest
• Disappeared

Physical Traces

At the site:

• Burned brush
• Landing gear impressions
• Four marks
• Fresh and clear
• Photographed

FBI Involvement

Federal investigation:

• Agent Burns responded
• Examined site
• Interviewed Zamora
• Took seriously
• Official interest

Project Blue Book

Air Force:

• Sent Hynek
• Investigated thoroughly
• Zamora credible
• No explanation
• Case marked “unknown”

J. Allen Hynek

Famous astronomer:

• Led investigation
• Found Zamora credible
• Evidence genuine
• Couldn’t explain
• Changed his views

The Analysis

Evidence examined:

• Soil samples
• Landing marks measured
• Burn patterns
• Everything consistent
• With Zamora’s account

Zamora’s Reaction

The officer:

• Shaken by experience
• Wanted no publicity
• Maintained story
• Passed all tests
• Died 2009

Hoax Theories

Some claimed:

• College students
• Elaborate prank
• But evidence argues against
• Zamora’s character
• Physical traces

Significance

Socorro significant for:

• Police witness
• Physical evidence
• FBI/Blue Book investigation
• Hynek involvement
• Official unknown

Legacy

The Socorro landing represents one of the most credible UFO cases due to Lonnie Zamora’s character, the physical evidence, and the official investigations that could find no explanation. It changed how researchers viewed close encounters.