Explosion Incident Report — Rodeo, New Mexico, March 1949

This collection of documents details the investigation into an explosion reported near Rodeo, New Mexico, on March 31, 1949. The incident was initially reported by a Border Patrol officer who had been informed by local civilians that they heard a plane overhead followed by a heavy explosion. Subsequent investigation of the site revealed a large crater and a piece of metal approximately 12 inches in diameter, which was described as pointed and resembling a warhead for a guided missile. The site was located in wild, mountainous terrain approximately ten miles east of Rodeo. The investigation involved multiple military and intelligence units, including the 17th District Office of Special Investigations (OSI) at Kirtland Air Force Base and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Witnesses in the area reported seeing five B-29 type aircraft overhead at the time of the explosion. A representative from the 97th Supply Squadron at Biggs Air Force Base examined the evidence and determined that the fragments and fuse found at the site were from a 100 or 150-pound practice bomb, similar to those used by the United States Air Force. Based on these findings, the investigation concluded that the explosion was caused by the detonation of a practice bomb, and no further investigation was conducted. The documents include various internal military communications, indorsements, and routing slips between the Sixth Army, the 19th District OSI, and the Arizona Recruiting District, documenting the administrative handling of the report.