San Eduardo Airstrip

Abandonment due to economic non-viability. The airstrip was likely a private or utility field serving a specific purpose (such as local ranching, mining, or governmental survey) that is no longer active. Given its remote location in the Chihuahuan Desert and the lack of a significant local population or industry, there was likely no sustained economic reason to maintain its operation.

Abandoned and unmaintained. Satellite imagery confirms the physical outline of the unpaved runway is still visible. However, the surface is severely weathered, likely overgrown with desert scrub, and completely unsuitable for any type of aviation. There are no buildings, hangars, or infrastructure remaining at the site. It has effectively reverted to being part of the surrounding desert landscape.

The primary significance of the San Eduardo Airstrip is not in conventional aviation history but in its connection to modern folklore and ufology. The airstrip is central to the legend of the 'Coyame UFO Incident' or the 'Roswell of Mexico,' an alleged event from August 1974.

According to the story, a UFO collided with a civilian aircraft over the area. The wreckage of both was said to have been located by Mexican authorities, who then reported the incident. The legend claims that a specialized US military recovery team was covertly dispatched from Fort Bliss, Texas, to retrieve the extraterrestrial craft and its occupants. The San Eduardo Airstrip, being the closest suitable landing strip to the alleged crash site, is believed to have been the staging point for this clandestine US operation. Helicopters and other aircraft associated with the recovery team supposedly used this strip for landing and takeoff.

When it was active, its practical operations were likely limited to serving light, single-engine aircraft for agricultural, ranching, or private transport purposes in this extremely remote region of Chihuahua.

Effectively zero. There are no known plans or proposals to reopen or refurbish the San Eduardo Airstrip. The cost of restoring the runway and establishing any support infrastructure would be substantial, and there is no economic, commercial, or strategic driver to justify such an investment in this remote and sparsely populated area.