Area, Deming-Columbus, N.M., July 1957July 1957

In mid-July 1957, a newspaper reporter and a theater owner in the area between Deming and Columbus, New Mexico, reported seeing unusual objects near Crater Afton, a volcano located six to eight miles north of that region. The witnesses said they observed the objects rising from and hovering over the crater at around 1:00 a.m. on July 13. They watched through binoculars as the objects moved in formation with what they described as distinct turns, all during the night from a considerable distance away.

According to the case file, the objects appeared as round shapes with a blue haze hanging over the crater where they were sighted. The witnesses reported seeing an indefinite number of objects at roughly thirteen-minute intervals, with random motions and distinct directional changes observed after the lights rose from the crater floor. The sighting lasted less than five minutes.

A preliminary analysis in the file suggested the objects might have been phosphorescence gases escaping from the crater floor, possibly connected to volcanic activity in the area. However, the investigation quickly ran into obstacles. Weather data showed the night was stormy with scattered and broken clouds, making it difficult to see objects at the distances the witnesses described. More significantly, investigators who followed up with the sources found them to be unreliable. When the 1996th Air Intelligence Squadron sent out investigative forms, one witness returned a diary claiming numerous UFO sightings over a considerable period, which raised further doubts about the credibility of the reports.

By August 1957, the Air Force concluded that due to the obvious unreliability of the sources and a lack of funds for further investigation, no additional action was warranted. The case was closed.

The full case file, as held by the National Archives, is reproduced below across eight pages of microfilm.