The Coyne Helicopter Incident

On October 18, 1973, an Army Reserve helicopter commanded by Captain Lawrence Coyne encountered a UFO over Mansfield, Ohio. The object pulled the helicopter upward against the controls and was witnessed by both crew members and observers on the ground.

The Encounter

The UH-1H helicopter was flying at 2,500 feet when crew chief Sergeant Robert Yanacsek noticed a red light on the eastern horizon, approaching rapidly. Within seconds, the light was on a collision course.

Captain Coyne put the helicopter into a dive to avoid collision. Despite the dive, the object stopped and hovered directly above the helicopter. A cigar-shaped grey metallic object with a dome projected a green light over the helicopter.

The Climb

The strangest aspect of the encounter occurred next. Without Coyne applying power, the helicopter began climbing rapidly, from 1,700 feet to 3,500 feet in seconds. Coyne had the collective (vertical control) in the full down position, but the helicopter continued rising.

When the object departed, control returned to normal.

Ground Witnesses

A family driving below observed the helicopter and the object. They described a bright green light enveloping the helicopter and the aircraft rising rapidly.

Assessment

The Coyne incident is significant because of multiple witnesses, Coyne’s status as a military officer, and the physical effect on the aircraft. The case remains unexplained.