Sta.maria Airport/Apartment, Azores being encounter — September 21, 1954

A civilian security guard at Santa Maria Airport in the Azores reported a brief close encounter around 10:45 p.m. on September 21, 1954. Later identified in UFO literature as Vitorino Lourenço Monteiro, he described a humming sound and an oblong blue metallic object descending near his post. Its transparent blue forward section and pole-supported aerials distinguish the fuller description from a generic saucer. A blond man of ordinary human appearance reportedly stepped from the forward section and approached. Attempts at conversation failed. After a brief friendly gesture, approaching automobile headlights interrupted the exchange; the visitor returned, secured himself in the seat, and the object climbed away. Passing motorists reportedly asked about the light. The guard initially hesitated to tell his superiors, then reported the experience as the story spread. Portuguese airport commander Henrique da Costa Pessca investigated, and material reached USAF intelligence and Project Blue Book. Ted Bloecher's later review distinguished the official September 21 date from September 20 in Vallée's summary. Blue Book's unidentified classification records an unresolved report, not proof of extraterrestrial origin. The plate depicts the guard, the humanlike visitor, and the described blue craft; no unreported injury or maritime encounter is added.