The Mansfield Helicopter Incident

On October 18, 1973, Captain Lawrence Coyne and his Army Reserve helicopter crew had an encounter that defied explanation. A UFO approached on collision course, stopped, and somehow pulled their helicopter upward against the collective control.

The Crew

Four witnesses:

• Captain Lawrence Coyne (pilot)
• 1st Lt. Arrigo Jezzi (co-pilot)
• SSgt. John Healey
• SSgt. Robert Yanacek

The Flight

Routine mission:

• UH-1H Huey helicopter
• Army Reserve crew
• Night flight
• Near Mansfield, Ohio
• October 18, 1973

The Approach

Initial contact:

• Red light spotted
• Approaching fast
• Collision course
• Evasive action taken
• Radio failure

The Object

Description:

• Gray metallic structure
• Cigar-shaped
• About 60 feet long
• Red light at bow
• Green light swept over them

The Impossible

What happened:

• Coyne put collective down
• Helicopter should descend
• Instead rose
• From 1,700 to 3,500 feet
• Against controls

The Light

Green beam:

• Swept over helicopter
• Illuminated cockpit
• Very bright
• Intentional movement
• Then departed

Ground Witnesses

Also saw it:

• Family in car below
• Saw both craft
• Confirmed green light
• Independent observation
• Five additional witnesses

The Radio

Equipment failure:

• Radio went dead
• During encounter
• Both frequencies
• Came back after
• Common UFO effect

The Climb

Unexplained:

• Collective down (descent)
• Helicopter climbed
• 2,000 feet
• No input
• Physical impossibility

Investigation

Thorough examination:

• Army investigated
• NARCAP studied
• Hynek reviewed
• No explanation found
• Highly credible

Coyne’s Position

Career impact:

• Maintained account
• Spoke publicly
• Never wavered
• Professional pilot
• Credible witness

Official Analysis

Military conclusion:

• Unexplained
• No conventional explanation
• Instrumentation verified
• Crew credible
• Case open

Significance

Military crew encounter with physical effects, ground witnesses, and no conventional explanation.

Legacy

The Coyne incident represents one of the best-documented UFO cases—multiple military witnesses, physical effects, and ground confirmation of an impossible encounter.