The Coyne Helicopter UFO Incident

On October 18, 1973, an Army Reserve helicopter crew led by Captain Lawrence Coyne encountered an unidentified object over Mansfield, Ohio. The encounter included the bizarre phenomenon of the helicopter being pulled upward by an unknown force.

The Encounter

The UH-1H helicopter was flying at 2,500 feet when crew chief Sergeant John Healey spotted a red light approaching at high speed. Captain Coyne put the helicopter into a steep dive to avoid collision. Despite the dive, a gray metallic object stopped directly above them.

The Object

The crew described a cigar-shaped object, 50-60 feet long, with a dome on top. A green light swept from the rear of the object and bathed the helicopter in green light. The magnetic compass began spinning erratically.

The Ascent

Despite Coyne’s dive, the helicopter suddenly began climbing. With the collective still set for descent, the aircraft rose from 1,700 feet to 3,500 feet. The crew had no control over the ascent. When the object departed, normal flight resumed.

The Witnesses

Ground witnesses corroborated the encounter. A family in a car observed both the helicopter and the object with its green light. Their account matched the crew’s.

Assessment

The Coyne case involved multiple trained military witnesses whose account was supported by ground observers. The physical effect on the helicopter—the uncontrolled ascent—represents objective evidence of the encounter. The case has never been explained.