Army Helicopter Coyne Incident
On October 18, 1973, an Army Reserve helicopter commanded by Captain Lawrence Coyne encountered a gray metallic object that stopped their emergency descent and pulled their aircraft upward from 1,700 to 3,500 feet. The encounter, witnessed by ground observers, was investigated by multiple agencies and never explained.
The Coyne incident is considered one of the most credible UFO cases ever documented. An Army Reserve helicopter crew encountered an object that not only approached them on a collision course but apparently took control of their aircraft, pulling it upward despite the pilot’s attempt to descend. Ground witnesses corroborated the aerial encounter. No conventional explanation has ever been found.
October 18, 1973
Captain Lawrence Coyne was commanding a UH-1H Huey helicopter returning to Cleveland from Columbus, Ohio, with a crew of three:
The crew consisted of Captain Lawrence J. Coyne – Aircraft Commander, First Lieutenant Arrigo Jezzi – Co-pilot, Sergeant John Healey – Flight Medic, and Specialist 5 Robert Yanacsek – Crew Chief.
The time of the incident was approximately 11:00 PM.
The location was near Mansfield, Ohio, at an altitude of 2,500 feet.
The Encounter
The incident unfolded rapidly. Yanacsek first noticed a red light to the east, which he initially assumed was a distant aircraft. The light changed course and headed directly toward the helicopter at high speed. Realizing a collision was imminent, Coyne put the helicopter into an emergency descent. As the helicopter descended, the object came into view – a large, gray metallic craft with a cigar or cylindrical shape.
The Object
All four crew members observed the object. The shape was cigar-shaped or cylindrical, approximately 60 feet long. The color was gray, metallic, with no visible markings. Features included a dome on top, and a green light that flooded the helicopter’s cockpit. The object stopped directly in front of and above the helicopter.
The Strange Ascent
What happened next defied explanation. Coyne maintained the collective in a descent position – the helicopter should have continued descending. Instead, the helicopter climbed from approximately 1,700 feet to 3,500 feet. No control was felt; the crew did not cause the ascent - something else did. A green light beam from the object bathed the helicopter during the ascent. After a period, the object moved off to the west and disappeared.
Return to Normal
After the object departed:
Control of the helicopter was restored. The UHF and VHF radios were not functioning; they later worked normally. The magnetic compass was spinning randomly. The crew completed their flight, landing safely.
Ground Witnesses
Remarkably, the encounter was observed from the ground. A family driving near Mansfield observed a helicopter and a bright object with a green light. Their observations matched what the crew experienced in timing and description. They had no knowledge of or contact with the helicopter crew initially.
The Investigation
Multiple agencies investigated the case. The Army conducted an official inquiry. The Federal Aviation Administration examined the case. Dr. J. Allen Hynek’s organization, the Center for UFO Studies, investigated thoroughly. The National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomena (NICAP) also investigated. All found the witnesses credible and the case unexplained.
Captain Coyne’s Credibility
Coyne was an exemplary witness. He had 19 years of military service. He possessed extensive helicopter flying experience. He was known for reliability and honesty. Initially, he was reluctant to report the incident, fearing career damage. His account never changed in any significant detail.
Physical Effects
Several physical anomalies were noted. A climb of nearly 2,000 feet occurred with controls set for descent. Magnetic compass malfunction occurred, spinning erratically. Temporary loss of radio communication occurred. Normal flight controls seemed overridden.
Attempted Explanations
Various explanations have been proposed. A bright meteor or fireball could be mistaken for an approaching object. However, meteors don’t stop, illuminate helicopters with green light, or lift aircraft. A classified military project is another possibility. No known aircraft matches the description or has the ability to lift other aircraft. Pilot error is unlikely, given the experience of four crew members all reporting the same thing. A hoax is also considered, but their careers suffered rather than benefited from reporting.
The Ascent Mystery
The unexplained climb remains central. The control that governs ascent/descent was set for descent. Coyne was experienced enough to know his control position. Altitude records showed the helicopter climbed significantly during the encounter. Something overcame the pilot’s control inputs.
Legacy
The Coyne incident is significant because four military witnesses observed the same object and events. Ground witnesses independently corroborated the sighting. Physical effects on the aircraft were documented. No conventional explanation has been found. The witnesses were highly credible. Multiple agencies investigated and found no explanation.
What Happened?
An Army helicopter was intercepted by an unknown object that approached on a collision course, stopped in front of the aircraft, illuminated it with a green light, apparently took control and lifted it nearly 2,000 feet, and departed without explanation. Whatever it was, it demonstrated technology and capabilities that remain beyond human achievement nearly fifty years later.
Sources
- Wikipedia search: “Army Helicopter Coyne Incident”
- CIA UFO/UAP Reading Room — Declassified CIA documents on UAP