Carlos Antonio de los Santos Montiel
Carlos Antonio de los Santos Montiel is a Mexican commercial pilot renowned for his close encounter with UFOs on May 3, 1975. Flying a Piper PA-24 (XB-XAU) from Zihuatanejo to Mexico City, the 23-year-old pilot reported three gray saucer-shaped objects—each about 3 meters in diameter with a cupola and antenna—positioned around his aircraft: two beside the wings and one below the fuselage. He declared a Mayday, stating he lost control as the plane ascended uncontrollably to 15,400 feet, with radar operators Julio Cesar Interián DÃaz and Emilio Estañol López confirming the objects on radar. An official affidavit was recorded by Mexico's Civil Aeronautics Directorate on May 8, 1975. Medically cleared with no substances found, Montiel faced Men in Black visits warning silence, yet he persisted in public testimony. The case drew international attention, investigated by Project Blue Book under J. Allen Hynek, and documented by researchers like Richard F. Haines and in publications such as APRO Bulletin and Timothy Green Beckley's 'The UFO Silencers.' He continues sharing his account in interviews.