On the night of October 18, 1973, a routine U.S. Army Reserve helicopter flight over Ohio took an unexpected turn, resulting in one of America's most widely cited military UFO encounters. The Coyne Incident, named after pilot Lawrence Coyne, stands out for the credibility of its witnesses and the strangeness of the events reported. Four trained military crew members encountered an unidentified object in the skies near Charles Mill Lake, an event that is still regarded as one of the most credible UFO experiences in United States history.

The helicopter, flying over Mansfield, Ohio, was suddenly approached by a large, cigar-shaped craft displaying intense green and red lights. Crew members reported unusual maneuvers, loss of control, and interactions with the mysterious object, sparking years of investigation and debate. This incident remains a central point in discussions about unexplained encounters between military personnel and unknown aerial phenomena, drawing interest from UFO researchers and skeptics alike.

Background of the Coyne Helicopter Incident

The Coyne Helicopter Incident from 1973 involved a U.S. Army Reserve helicopter, a close encounter with an unidentified object, and multiple trained witnesses. The case stands out due to military involvement, specific geographical context, and detailed accounts from experienced personnel.

Timeline of Events

On October 18, 1973, the incident occurred while a U.S. Army Reserve helicopter was on a routine mission at night. The crew departed from Columbus, Ohio, en route to Cleveland Hopkins Airport. At around 11:00 p.m., as they approached the area near Mansfield, Ohio, strange lights appeared in the sky.

Captain Lawrence J. Coyne, who was piloting the UH-1 Huey helicopter, noticed a red and green light rapidly approaching the aircraft. Initially thinking the light was from a conventional jet, the crew attempted to avoid it by descending, but the object altered its trajectory to match their maneuvers. At one point, the object appeared to hover directly in front of the helicopter and emitted a bright green beam that filled the cockpit with light.

The object eventually departed at high speed, and the crew safely regained control, continuing their flight. The entire event lasted several minutes and was corroborated by both the crew and civilians on the ground.

Crew Members and Key Participants

The primary participants were four U.S. Army Reserve personnel:

Name Role Captain Lawrence J. Coyne Pilot and aircraft commander First Lieutenant Arrigo Jezzi Co-pilot Sergeant Robert Yanacsek Crew chief Specialist Harold Jesus Medic/flight observer

Captain Coyne led the flight and commanded the helicopter during the encounter. First Lieutenant Jezzi assisted with controls and observations. Sergeant Yanacsek and Specialist Jesus provided critical eyewitness testimony and described the object’s appearance and behavior in detail.

All four were experienced members of the Army Reserve, trained in aircraft operations and familiar with standard aviation protocols. This background added credibility to their reports, as each observed and described unusual flight characteristics inconsistent with known aircraft.

Geographical Location and Flight Path

The encounter took place over north central Ohio, primarily near Mansfield and above Charles Mill Reservoir. The helicopter’s route started from Columbus, heading northward toward Cleveland Hopkins Airport.

Key locations along the route included rural airspace with minimal light pollution, which offered excellent visibility of airborne objects. The incident’s main events occurred in the vicinity of Charles Mill Reservoir, where both terrain and civilian witnesses played notable roles in corroborating the sighting.

The choice of flight path placed the helicopter in a location where ground and air observations could be made almost simultaneously, contributing to the incident’s documentation and detailed mapping by investigators and UFO researchers.

The Encounter: Military Meets the Unknown

On the night of October 18, 1973, a U.S. Army Reserve helicopter crew reported an extraordinary ufo sighting during a routine flight near Mansfield, Ohio. Their encounter included close visual contact, distinct light patterns, unusual readings, and direct physical effects on their helicopter.

Initial Sighting of the Unidentified Object

At approximately 11:00 p.m., Captain Lawrence Coyne and his crew observed an intense red light approaching rapidly from the horizon. The helicopter, a military aircraft en route toward Cleveland, was flying over Charles Mill Lake at around 2,500 feet. The crew initially believed the light to be a standard aircraft beacon.

Within seconds, the red light closed in at high speed and stopped abruptly in mid-air, positioning itself directly in front of the helicopter. The object was described as gray, metallic, and disc-shaped with a dome on top. Its size was estimated to be about 60 feet long.

The crew noted the presence of both a red light at the nose and a brilliant green light on the tail. The object's silent maneuverability and the speed at which it approached surprised everyone on board.

Visual and Instrumental Anomalies

While the helicopter hovered, the crew reported a bright green light bathing the cabin. The object hovered parallel to the helicopter, maintaining a steady altitude and position. Crew members described the illumination as vivid and unearthly, making the craft’s features unmistakable.

Instrument readings began to behave erratically. The helicopter’s magnetic compass started spinning uncontrollably, and other flight instruments gave unreliable data. The crew, trained to trust their dials, was forced to switch to manual control and rely on their visual observation alone.

Witness testimony emphasized that these anomalies persisted only during the close presence of the unidentified flying object. After the ufo departed, instrument readings gradually returned to normal.

Physical Effects on the Helicopter

During the encounter, Captain Coyne noted the helicopter began to ascend without any crew input. The collective control was set for level flight, yet the altimeter showed a rapid climb, reaching an unexpected altitude of about 3,500 feet. Attempts to regain manual control had little effect until the object left the vicinity.

The crew also experienced a temporary drop in radio communications during the event. Standard attempts to contact air traffic control were met with static or no response.

No physical damage to the helicopter was reported after landing, but the incident left the crew convinced that their aircraft’s flight characteristics had been influenced by the proximity of the disc-shaped object and its unusual red and green lights.

Eyewitness Accounts and Testimonies

Firsthand reports from both military and civilian witnesses shaped public and official perspectives on the Coyne Incident. These accounts provided critical details about the event’s timeline, visual features, and response from those involved.

Crew Statements and Reactions

The four-man crew of the Army Reserve UH-1 “Huey” helicopter included Captain Lawrence Coyne, First Lieutenant Arrigo Jezzi, Sergeant John Healey, and Sergeant Robert Yanacsek. Each crew member provided a signed statement detailing their observations and actions.

According to their reports, the crew first saw a red light ascending rapidly toward them over Mansfield, Ohio. The object approached at high speed until it hovered directly in front of the helicopter. At this point, crew members described a large, cigar-shaped object emitting a bright green light that filled the cockpit.

Communication logs support the crew’s claim that their radio briefly failed at the height of the encounter. All four men stated that the helicopter began to climb without manual input, rising from 1,700 feet to 3,500 feet. Every member reported fear and confusion at their loss of control, describing the encounter as “unprecedented.”

Name Position Key Testimony Highlight Lawrence Coyne Captain Loss of altitude control Arrigo Jezzi Co-pilot Bright green light in cockpit John Healey Crew Chief Support for visual identification Robert Yanacsek Medic Documented radio interference

Civilian Observations Along Flight Path

Multiple independent witnesses on the ground supported the helicopter crew’s reports. Civilians near Charles Mill Lake and along the flight path described observing a fast-moving, brightly lit object in proximity to the helicopter.

Some civilians reported their own disruptions, such as temporary radio static during the event. Several statements highlight that the object’s movements were abrupt and distinct from conventional aircraft.

Civilian testimonies were collected by local law enforcement and the Center for UFO Studies. Consistency between these accounts and the military crew’s description strengthened the overall credibility of the incident. Independent reports noted the object’s intense light and unorthodox flight behavior, aligning closely with the crew’s observations.

Military and Government Response

The Coyne Helicopter Incident provoked immediate attention from military officials and prompted official investigation efforts. Key areas of concern included the involvement of the Air Force, available radar evidence, and broader implications for national security.

Air Force Involvement

The United States Air Force was promptly informed about the Coyne event, due to the military status of the witnesses and the unusual nature of the report.

Personnel at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, known for its historical association with Project Blue Book, received official statements from the helicopter crew. While Project Blue Book had closed in 1969, military procedures dictated that UFO reports from servicemembers be catalogued and analyzed.

Military intelligence staff cross-referenced the crew's report with regional flight plans and meteorological data. No conventional aircraft or scheduled military jets matched the object described. The Air Force concluded there was insufficient evidence for further investigation, but the case was noted for the credibility of the witnesses involved.

Radar and Surveillance Data

Efforts to verify the sighting using radar and ground-based surveillance were immediate. The Mansfield control tower was contacted after the encounter, but operators confirmed there was no unusual flight activity captured on their systems.

Regional radar stations, including civil and military operators, conducted log checks for anomalies that could match the object’s reported trajectory. Neither military radar operators nor local air traffic control reported unidentified contacts in the airspace near Charles Mill Lake at the time.

Table: Reported Data Sources

Source Type Confirmation of UFO Mansfield ATC No Military Radar No Airline Pilots No relevant reports

Despite the lack of radar confirmation, the helicopter crew consistently described the close proximity and physical effects experienced during the incident.

National Security Concerns

The incident was treated with greater seriousness due to its proximity to military operations and the credible background of the witnesses. The Secretary of Defense’s office was not directly involved, but information was passed to military intelligence channels for review.

Internal reports examined whether the object could represent advanced foreign technology or a threat to military assets. No definitive evidence suggested a hostile act, but the case contributed to internal discussions about unidentified aerial phenomena and potential risks to flight safety.

While official statements emphasized no direct threat was detected, the encounter reinforced the challenge of identifying and assessing unknown objects in restricted airspace. Security protocols were re-examined, especially regarding prompt reporting and response actions by military pilots.

Investigation and Analysis

The Coyne Helicopter Incident drew significant attention from both government and civilian groups. Both official agencies and independent UFO researchers catalogued testimony, forensic details, and attempted explanations using contemporary investigative standards.

Official Inquiries and Reports

The U.S. Army Reserve immediately documented the incident, as four military crew members provided written and verbal accounts. Eyewitness statements described a large, metallic, cigar-shaped object with bright lights, reportedly altering the helicopter’s altitude and affecting flight instruments.

Military officials notified the Federal Aviation Administration, triggering internal reviews but producing no conclusive determination. The case was also referenced in several military-compiled UFO case files, including those assessed by Project Blue Book before its termination. However, no definitive proof or conventional explanation for the incident emerged from these official inquiries.

Role of Civilian Researchers

Civilian UFO researchers and organizations, such as NICAP (National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomena), undertook parallel investigations. They interviewed the helicopter crew, gathered additional witness reports from the ground, and examined physical and behavioral evidence.

NICAP published detailed case summaries and distributed information in bulletins that reached a broad network of researchers and civilian scientists. Many compared the Coyne Incident with similar UFO cases to search for patterns. Their methodical documentation helped keep the case prominent in UFO research and contributed to ongoing examination long after official investigations ended.

Physical Evidence and Technological Aspects

Several technical anomalies and instrument readings were reported after the Coyne Incident. Investigators focused on mechanical malfunctions and instrument data to verify and document what occurred during the event.

Mechanical Malfunctions and Data Readings

After landing, the helicopter’s crew found that the craft’s compass no longer functioned properly. Inspection revealed the compass needed replacement, suggesting some form of local physical disruption.

Flight logs and mechanical checks did not identify prior issues with the navigation instruments. Crew witnesses consistently noted that all other systems were behaving normally before the encounter.

There was no direct evidence of damage to engine or structural components. However, instrument anomalies, particularly the magnetic compass malfunction, stood out as unusual. Reviewers examined logs and checklists for any signs of procedural error and ruled out common causes like electrical faults.

Analysis of Radar and Instrument Data

Radar returns and instrument readouts from the night were analyzed, but official military radar such as AN/PS-143 Bravo Victor 3 did not record any unusual objects in the area around the time of the encounter.

No FLIR Star Sapphire II or similar infrared system was on board, limiting available sensor data to standard instruments. The absence of infrared or FLIR data left gaps in objective measurements.

Investigators relied on cockpit instrument readings as primary evidence. These included altitude changes, compass headings, and flight path data recorded before and after the event. No electronic or radar records independently confirmed a physical object near the helicopter, but the disturbances in onboard instruments were clearly documented in official records.

Comparative UFO Incidents and Patterns

Many UFO encounters reported by military personnel around the world share notable similarities in circumstances, objects observed, and effects on aircraft. Several high-profile cases have been thoroughly documented, which allows researchers to compare features and draw larger patterns from these unusual events.

Similar Encounters With Military Aircraft

Military pilots have reported close encounters with unidentified objects during flight missions dating back to the 1940s. The staple features in these reports often include rapid maneuvers, interference with aircraft systems, and multiple credible eyewitnesses.

One of the earliest well-known film cases is the 1950 Montana Movie, captured by a U.S. Air Force officer, showing two bright objects moving at high speed. Another classic example is the Tremonton Movie, filmed in Utah in 1952, which the Air Force analyzed extensively for physical evidence of unknown craft.

Some encounters have involved electronic interference, with aircraft controls affected—remarkably similar to the Coyne Incident. The Merlin C26A, a military surveillance plane, is another case where aircrews described unknown aerial phenomena following or shadowing their craft.

Notable Cases: Rendlesham Forest and Others

The Rendlesham Forest incident in the UK stands out as Europe's most famous military UFO event. In December 1980, U.S. Air Force personnel stationed at a Suffolk fighter base reported seeing strange lights descend into the trees. Over two consecutive nights, several servicemen observed metallic objects, electromagnetic effects, and unexplained physical evidence.

Rendlesham is significant because multiple ranks participated, official reports were filed, and field measurements taken. This level of documentation mirrors the credibility found in the Coyne Incident. Other notable Western military encounters with similar patterns include the reported interference with nuclear missile sites in the U.S. in the 1960s and several well-attested sightings by NATO pilots during the Cold War.

International Incidents: Mexico and Campeche State

In March 2004, the Mexican Air Force recorded unknown objects on radar and infrared sensors over Campeche State while patrolling for drug smuggling. The objects executed rapid maneuvers and surrounded a Merlin C26A aircraft, eluding identification by both sight and instrumentation.

This event, publicized by journalist Jaime Maussan, involved 11 objects and was documented with video and instrument data. The incident stands out because the data was released to the public, allowing for extensive analysis and comparison. It shares multiple elements with the Coyne case: experienced aircrews, instrument-confirmed radar contact, and unexplained aerial behavior.

Theories and Explanations

Multiple explanations have been offered for what the Coyne helicopter crew saw in 1973. Each theory has been considered by researchers, with varying levels of detail and evidence.

Extraterrestrial Hypothesis

Some researchers point to the extraordinary nature of the encounter—such as the large, cigar-shaped, metallic object and the apparent effects on the helicopter’s controls—as possible indicators of extraterrestrial involvement. The object's appearance and flight characteristics did not match any known aircraft or surveillance technology available at the time.

Eyewitness accounts noted unusual lights and sharp maneuvers, fueling speculation that the unknown object could be evidence of extraterrestrial life monitoring human activity. Unlike routine unidentified traffic or anti-drug trafficking operations, this incident lacked identifiable features typical of human-made vehicles.

Proponents argue that, due to the military crew’s reliability as witnesses and their detailed reporting, conventional explanations fall short. They also note the consistency between this and other credible UFO reports from the same period.

Alternative Explanations

Skeptics have suggested more conventional sources. One proposal is that a bright meteor could have caused the green illumination reported by the crew, especially given timing and trajectory data from astronomical records.

Other theories focus on the possibility of misidentified aerial vehicles, such as surveillance planes or helicopters, possibly involved in drug trafficking or anti-drug operations in the area. However, official records did not identify any scheduled flights matching the object’s description or location during the incident.

Lists of alternative explanations also include rare atmospheric phenomena and instrument malfunction, though these fail to account for all witness statements, including multiple ground observers. Experts stress the importance of considering both military and civilian air activity when reviewing unidentified object reports.

Legacy and Influence on UFO Research

The Coyne Helicopter Incident is regarded as one of the most credible and well-documented UFO cases in the United States during the twentieth century. It shaped both mainstream perception and scientific inquiry into aerial phenomena involving military interactions.

Impact on Public and Scientific Understanding

The Coyne Incident drew significant public notice because of the witnesses’ military backgrounds and the precise documentation of events. Media coverage emphasized the professionalism and reliability of the crew, making the account harder for skeptics to dismiss.

Unlike many reported UFO encounters, the Coyne case featured corroboration from multiple sources and physical effects, such as instrument interference reported on the helicopter. This added weight to claims and prompted renewed interest from UFO research organizations and independent scientists.

Key factors that advanced understanding:

Multiple trained observers
Detailed flight and radar data
Unexplained aerial maneuvering observed

The incident also contributed to broader discussions about how unidentified aerial objects could affect flight safety and technology reliability in controlled airspace.

Continuation of UFO Studies

The Coyne case remains a reference point in both official and civilian UFO investigations. Analysts often cite it in discussions about high-credibility incidents, especially when evaluating military encounters with unidentified aerial space phenomena.

After the event, groups such as the Center for UFO Studies and other researchers used it to highlight the need for systematic and open examination of pilots’ encounters with the unknown. Its documentation serves as a standard for evaluating the reliability of UFO testimonies in future cases.

Ongoing research considers technological effects on aircraft, reporting protocols for aerial anomalies, and the value of military records in clarifying unexplained sightings. The Coyne Incident's influence persists in shaping methods of evidence collection and the seriousness with which such reports are treated.

The Coyne Helicopter Incident: Military Meets the Unknown in a 1973 UFO Encounter