Four U.S. Army Reserve helicopter crewmembers reported a near-collision with a gray, cigar-shaped object that halted their 1,700 feet-per-minute descent and pulled their aircraft upward while the collective control remained in descent position.
A UH-1H "Huey" helicopter similar to Army Reserve aircraft 68-15444 involved in the October 1973 incident. Photo: US Army, Public Domain.
DATEOctober 18, 1973
LOCATIONMansfield, Ohio, USA (40.75°N 82.52°W)
CLASSIFICATIONMILITARY-ENCOUNTER
EVIDENCE QUALITYHIGH
Four U.S. Army Reserve helicopter crewmembers reported a near-collision with a gray, cigar-shaped object that halted their 1,700 feet-per-minute descent and pulled their aircraft upward while the collective control remained in descent position.
4MILITARY WITNESSES
On October 18, 1973, at approximately 11:00 PM local time, a U.S. Army Reserve UH-1H helicopter (tail number 68-15444) was flying from Port Columbus to Cleveland Hopkins Airport when the four-man crew encountered an unidentified object near Mansfield, Ohio. The helicopter, assigned to the 316th Medical Detachment (Helicopter Ambulance), was commanded by Captain Lawrence J. Coyne.
At approximately 2,500 feet altitude, Staff Sergeant Robert Yanacsek observed a red light on the eastern horizon moving toward the aircraft at high speed. Captain Coyne initiated a descent, eventually reaching 1,700 feet per minute, while attempting radio contact with Mansfield Tower. The radio malfunctioned during the encounter. The object, described as gray, metallic, and cigar-shaped with a dome, stopped in front of and above the helicopter, filling the windscreen. A green light from the object swept over the aircraft.
The crew reported that despite maintaining the collective in descent position, the helicopter inexplicably rose from approximately 1,700 feet to 3,500 feet. All four crew members signed official statements documenting the encounter. The case was investigated by the Center for UFO Studies under the direction of ufologist Jennie Zeidman, whose 1979 report "A Helicopter-UFO Encounter Over Ohio" remains the primary reference source. The incident occurred during the 1973 U.S. UFO wave and is considered one of the most credible military encounters on record due to the multiple trained witnesses and documented anomalies.
Mansfield Ohio 1973 Helicopter Incident - Context
The Mansfield incident, also known as the Coyne incident after the commanding pilot, occurred during the October 1973 UFO wave that produced hundreds of sighting reports across the American South and Midwest. The incident took place just one week after the Pascagoula abduction case, during a period of heightened national attention to UFO phenomena.
The witnesses were military personnel with aviation training, including a pilot with 19 years of flying experience. The encounter involved documented instrument anomalies, including radio malfunction and an unexplained altitude gain while the collective control remained in descent position. Ground witnesses in the area also reported seeing the helicopter and the object.
The Center for UFO Studies (CUFOS), founded by J. Allen Hynek, conducted a detailed investigation. Researcher Jennie Zeidman published a comprehensive analysis in 1979, which became a standard reference in UFO literature. The case received attention from the National Enquirer's Blue Ribbon Panel, which awarded it their annual prize for most scientifically valuable UFO case of 1973.
The 1973 Orionid meteor shower was active in mid-October. Bright meteors can appear to approach observers due to optical effects.
Conflicting Evidence
The object was reported to stop and hover in front of the aircraft for approximately 10 seconds. Meteors do not stop, hover, or emit controlled light beams. The green light that swept over the aircraft is inconsistent with meteor behavior. The crew had extensive aviation experience and would recognize meteors.
Experimental military aircraft [1]
Supporting Evidence
The U.S. military was testing various aircraft programs in 1973. Secret projects might explain an unusual craft appearance.
Conflicting Evidence
No known 1973 aircraft could hover silently, then accelerate to the reported departure speed. The unexplained altitude gain while the collective remained in descent position cannot be explained by any conventional aircraft interaction. The military conducted no known tests in that airspace on that date.
Genuine anomalous encounter [1]
Supporting Evidence
Four trained military aviators provided consistent testimony. Documented instrument anomalies (radio failure, unexplained altitude gain) corroborate an unusual event. Ground witnesses reported seeing both the helicopter and the object. The crew had no prior interest in UFO phenomena and reported reluctantly.
Conflicting Evidence
No physical evidence was recovered. The encounter was visual and instrumental only. No radar confirmation has been publicly documented.
Captain Lawrence J. CoynePilot in Command, U.S. Army Reserve; 19 years flying experience; Commander, 316th Medical Detachment[Military records confirmed via Army Reserve records and CUFOS investigation]
"The object was gray, metallic, about 60 feet long. It had a dome on top and a green light that swung from front to back. The light swept over our aircraft."
Interview with Jennie Zeidman for CUFOS investigation, 1973-1974 [1]
First Lieutenant Arrigo JezziCopilot, U.S. Army Reserve; Chemical engineer by civilian profession[Military records and employment verified via CUFOS investigation]
"I looked up through the greenhouse [upper window] and saw this gray, metallic object filling the upper windscreen. It was about 60 feet long."
Interview with CUFOS investigator Jennie Zeidman [1]
"I noticed a red light on the horizon, east of our position. It appeared to be pacing us, then it started coming right at us. We all thought we were going to collide."
First witness to observe object; interview with CUFOS [1]
Staff Sergeant John HealeyFlight Medic, U.S. Army Reserve[Military records confirmed via CUFOS investigation]
"I saw the red light through the right side. Then the green light came over and lit up the whole cabin. We were bathed in green light."
Radio malfunction: Captain Coyne attempted to contact Mansfield Tower during the approach but received no response. The UHF and VHF radios ceased functioning during the encounter and resumed normal operation after the object departed. [1]
Document Provenance: Released by U.S. Army Reserve official report on October 1973 via Military documentation. Authentication: Verified by CUFOS investigation and crew statements
Current Status: Documented in official Army report signed by all four crew members
Instrument Anomaly
Unexplained altitude gain: Despite the collective control remaining in the descent position (estimated 1,700 fpm descent rate), the altimeter showed the helicopter rose from approximately 1,700 feet to 3,500 feet during the encounter. The crew became aware of the climb when the altimeter reading was noticed. [1]
Document Provenance: Released by U.S. Army Reserve official report on October 1973 via Military documentation and CUFOS investigation. Authentication: Verified by crew testimony and instrument readings
Current Status: Core anomaly documented by all four witnesses; no conventional explanation proposed
Ground Witness Corroboration
Jennie Zeidman documented ground witnesses near Charles Mill Lake who reported seeing both the helicopter and an unusual object in the sky during the time of the encounter. [1]
Document Provenance: Released by CUFOS investigation report on 1979 via Published research. Authentication: Witness interviews conducted by Zeidman
Current Status: Documented in Zeidman's 1979 report; provides independent corroboration
Mansfield Ohio 1973 Helicopter Incident - Official Investigation
Investigating Body: Center for UFO Studies (CUFOS) primary investigation; U.S. Army filed incident report
Methodology: Extensive interviews with all four crew members conducted separately by Jennie Zeidman; review of military records; ground witness interviews; meteorological and astronomical data analysis; consultation with aviation experts
Findings: All four witnesses provided consistent accounts. Documented instrument anomalies (radio failure, unexplained altitude gain) could not be explained by equipment malfunction or conventional phenomena. No conventional aircraft or atmospheric phenomenon matched the object description. Ground witnesses corroborated the event. [1]
Official Conclusion: The CUFOS investigation concluded the case remained unexplained after thorough analysis. The National Enquirer's Blue Ribbon Panel of scientists awarded it the most scientifically valuable UFO case of 1973. The U.S. Army accepted the crew's report without official explanation.
SOURCE LOG
1Zeidman, Jennie. "A Helicopter-UFO Encounter Over Ohio." Center for UFO Studies, 1979. Primary investigation report with crew interviews, military records, and ground witness statements.[primary]
2Hynek, J. Allen. "The Hynek UFO Report." Dell Publishing, 1977. Includes chapter on Coyne incident with scientific analysis.[primary]
3U.S. Army Reserve official incident report filed by crew of helicopter 68-15444, October 1973. Signed by CPT Coyne, 1LT Jezzi, SSG Yanacsek, SSG Healey.[primary]
4National Enquirer Blue Ribbon Panel. Award announcement for most scientifically valuable UFO case of 1973. Panel included scientists and aerospace engineers.[secondary]
5Ashland Source. "Coyne Incident over Charles Mill Lake was most credible UFO sighting of 1973." October 4, 2020. Local historical coverage with witness details. [Link][secondary]
Editorial Note: This case file presents documented evidence regarding the Mansfield Ohio 1973 Helicopter Incident. All statements are sourced with inline citations. Competing explanations are presented with equal analytical weight. UAPI does not draw conclusions about the nature or origin of reported phenomena.
