Fighter pilot Oscar Santa María Huertas talks shooting at a UFO, "La Joya," Peru, April 11, 1980
Analysis Summary
Oscar Santa María Huertas
Contact Experience Triad
The Encounter
Oscar Santamaría Huertas is a retired pilot from the Peruvian Air Force. On April 11, 1980, at 7:15 AM, he and 1,800 men at the La Joya Air Base in Arequipa observed a bright, stationary object in the sky, about 5 kilometers away and 600 meters high. He received orders to take off in a Sukhoi 22 and fire at the object, which was in restricted airspace. He fired 64 rounds, but they had no effect. The object evaded his attacks multiple times. At one point, he got within 100 meters of the object, which had no visible means of propulsion. After 22 minutes of maneuvers, he returned to base due to low fuel. The object remained visible for two more hours. This encounter left him with lasting memories and a sense of fear.
Program Intelligence Analysis
Oscar Santamaría Huertas, a retired Peruvian Air Force pilot, recounts a 1980 encounter with a mysterious aerial object. He describes attempts to engage the object with weaponry, which proved ineffective, and provides detailed observations of its physical characteristics.
The object had no visible means of propulsion and remained stationary in the sky for an extended period.
Oscar Santamaría Huertas
“Esto no era un objeto para espiar sino que era algo completamente desconocido.”
On April 11, 1980, I observed a stationary object in the sky that appeared like a balloon, approximately 5 kilometers away and 600 meters high, reflecting sunlight.
I fired 64 rounds of 30mm shells at the object, but they had no effect; the shells were likely absorbed.
The object had a diameter of about 10 meters, was cream-colored with a dome, and lacked any visible means of propulsion.
After landing, the object remained stationary in the sky for two more hours, visible to everyone at the base.
Encounter Context
Factual DetailsBase Aérea de La Joya
Arequipa, Arequipa, peru
documented by the Ministry of Defense of the USA
Encounter Research Breakdown
Phenomenological AnalysisThe account is provided by a retired Peruvian Air Force pilot, enhancing credibility. The observation is detailed, with specific descriptions of the object and the encounter, including maneuvers and attempts to engage. The report includes corroborative elements, such as the presence of multiple witnesses and a documented incident, contributing to its high evidential strength.
The pilot and 1,800 personnel observed a stationary object in the sky that appeared balloon-like and luminous.
“1.800 hombres estaban información en la base aérea de la joya arequipa... observaron un objeto estacionario en el aire que parecía un globo”
The pilot received orders to engage the object, firing 64 rounds but experiencing no effect.
“le disparé 64 obuses de 30 milímetros... pero sin ningún efecto”
The pilot maneuvered close to the object, observing its details and realizing it was not a conventional aircraft.
“tenía unos 10 metros de diámetro... no tenía motores ni escapes ni ventanas”
After exhausting fuel, the pilot descended while keeping an eye on the object, which remained stationary.
“no pasó nada... el objeto permaneció estacionario en el cielo por dos horas más”
Observed a luminous, balloon-like object in detail
Radio communication with command
Felt the aircraft maneuvers and fear of crashing
Five Observables (4/5)
The object was spherical, approximately 10 meters in diameter, with a creamy dome and a wide metallic base, lacking any visible propulsion systems.
The encounter involved a military engagement with an unknown object that evaded attacks and displayed advanced maneuverability, leading to a profound realization of its non-conventional nature.
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Oscar Santa María Huertas
First-Person