The Coyne Helicopter Incident: Military UFO Near-Collision

Executive Summary

The Coyne Helicopter Incident of October 18, 1973, represents one of the most dramatic and well-documented military UFO encounters in aviation history. Captain Lawrence J. Coyne and his three-man U.S. Army Reserve crew experienced a near-collision with a large, unidentified object that demonstrated impossible flight characteristics and caused their UH-1H helicopter to gain altitude involuntarily. The incident was witnessed by multiple ground observers and investigated by the Federal Aviation Administration, making it one of the most credible military UFO cases ever recorded.

Background and Context

Flight Details

Aircraft: Bell UH-1H “Huey” helicopter Registration: Army 68-15444 Unit: Company A, 83rd Aviation Battalion, Ohio Army National Guard Mission: Routine training flight from Columbus to Cleveland Flight Plan: VFR (Visual Flight Rules) Weather: Clear, excellent visibility

The Crew

Captain Lawrence J. Coyne (Commander)

• Age: 36
• Experience: 19 years military aviation, Vietnam veteran
• Flight Hours: 2,800+ total, 1,200+ in helicopters
• Reputation: Highly experienced, decorated pilot
• Background: Known for conservative, professional approach

First Lieutenant Arrigo Jezzi (Co-pilot)

• Age: 26
• Experience: 4 years military aviation
• Training: Recent flight school graduate
• Role: Right seat, monitoring instruments

Sergeant John Healey (Flight Medic)

• Age: 35
• Experience: 15 years military service
• Position: Cabin, facing aft
• Training: Medical specialist, experienced observer

Sergeant Robert Yanacsek (Crew Chief)

• Age: 23
• Experience: 3 years aviation maintenance
• Position: Left cabin door
• Responsibility: Aircraft systems monitoring

All crew members were experienced military personnel with excellent service records and no history of unusual reports.

The Flight

Departure and Route

Departure: 10:30 PM, October 18, 1973 Origin: Port Columbus Airport (CMH) Destination: Cleveland Hopkins Airport (CLE) Route: Direct, approximately 100 nautical miles Altitude: 2,500 feet MSL Speed: 90 knots groundspeed

Normal Operations

The first 45 minutes of flight proceeded normally with standard radio communications and navigation. Weather conditions were ideal with clear skies and unlimited visibility.

Captain Coyne’s Pre-Incident Assessment:

“It was a perfect night for flying. Clear skies, good visibility, no weather issues. Just a routine training flight that we’d done hundreds of times before.”

The UFO Encounter

Initial Contact

Time: 11:02 PM Location: Approximately 10 miles southeast of Mansfield, Ohio Altitude: 2,500 feet MSL

Sergeant Yanacsek’s First Observation:

“I was looking out the left side when I saw this red light off to the southeast. At first I thought it might be another aircraft, but it was moving toward us at a very high rate of speed.”

The Approach

Initial Distance: Estimated 5 miles Object Speed: Extremely high, closing rapidly Appearance: Single bright red light initially

Warning Given: Yanacsek immediately alerted Captain Coyne to the approaching object.

Evasive Action

Time: 11:03 PM Recognizing the potential for collision, Captain Coyne took immediate evasive action.

Pilot Response:

• Initiated rapid descent from 2,500 to 1,700 feet
• Contacted Mansfield Approach Control for traffic advisory
• Attempted to identify approaching aircraft
• Prepared for possible collision

Radio Communication: Coyne: “Mansfield Approach, Army 15444, requesting traffic advisories.” Mansfield: “Army 15444, no known traffic in your area.”

Equipment Failure

Time: 11:03:30 PM As the object approached, the helicopter’s communication and navigation equipment began malfunctioning.

Systems Affected:

• UHF radio - complete failure
• VHF radio - intermittent operation
• Magnetic compass - spinning wildly
• Navigation equipment - unreliable readings

Captain Coyne’s Technical Assessment:

“All our communication equipment went dead. The compass was spinning like a top, and we couldn’t raise anyone on the radio. It was like something was interfering with all our electronic systems.”

The Near-Collision

Object Description

Time: 11:04 PM As the object closed to within 500 feet, the crew observed its full characteristics.

Physical Description:

• Size: Estimated 50-60 feet in length
• Shape: Cigar or cylindrical
• Structure: Metallic, gun-metal gray appearance
• Lights: Red light at front, white light at rear, green light underneath
• Features: No visible wings, propellers, or conventional propulsion

First Lieutenant Jezzi’s Observation:

“As it got closer, I could see it was definitely a structured craft. It was gray, metallic-looking, about 50 feet long. It had lights at both ends and this bright green light on the bottom.”

The Green Light Event

Time: 11:04:15 PM The most dramatic phase of the encounter occurred when the object positioned itself directly above the helicopter.

Green Light Characteristics:

• Brilliant green beam emanating from object’s underside
• Beam filled helicopter cabin with green light
• Light appeared coherent, like a searchlight
• Duration: Approximately 10-15 seconds

Crew Physical Effects:

• No heat sensation from the light
• No immediate physical discomfort
• Enhanced visibility inside cabin
• Instruments clearly visible in green illumination

Involuntary Altitude Gain

Time: 11:04:30 PM During the green light event, the helicopter experienced an unexplained altitude gain.

Flight Characteristics:

• Starting Altitude: 1,700 feet (in descent)
• Final Altitude: 3,500 feet
• Altitude Gain: 1,800 feet
• Duration: Approximately 30 seconds
• Collective Position: Full down (descent setting)
• Pilot Input: No upward control input

Captain Coyne’s Analysis:

“I had the collective full down, trying to get away from this thing, but we were climbing. The aircraft was climbing at about 1,000 feet per minute with the controls set for descent. It was impossible.”

Object Departure

Time: 11:05 PM After the green light event, the object moved away from the helicopter.

Departure Characteristics:

• Object accelerated westward
• Speed estimated at several hundred mph
• Maintained structured appearance throughout
• Disappeared beyond visual range within seconds

Ground Witnesses

The Teller Family

Location: Rural area near Mansfield Witnesses: Four family members Observation: Helicopter and object observed from ground

Mrs. Jeanne Teller’s Account:

“We saw the helicopter and this other object. There was a bright green light between them, and the helicopter looked like it was being pulled upward. It was the strangest thing we’d ever seen.”

Additional Ground Observers

Multiple Witnesses: Several other residents in the area reported unusual lights and aircraft behavior during the same time period.

Corroborating Elements:

• Helicopter observed climbing rapidly
• Bright green light visible from ground
• Large object observed near helicopter
• Timing consistent with crew reports

Post-Encounter Analysis

Systems Recovery

Time: 11:06 PM Following the object’s departure, the helicopter’s systems gradually returned to normal operation.

Equipment Status:

• Radio communications restored
• Compass settled to normal operation
• Navigation equipment functioning
• No permanent damage to aircraft systems

Continued Flight

Destination: Cleveland Hopkins Airport Approach: Normal ILS approach Landing: Uneventful Aircraft Condition: No physical damage observed

Immediate Reporting

Upon landing, Captain Coyne immediately reported the incident to:

• Flight operations
• Federal Aviation Administration
• Military command structure
• Air Traffic Control

Official Investigation

FAA Investigation

Lead Investigator: Philip Klass (initially), later FAA safety inspectors Investigation Period: October 19-30, 1973

FAA Methodology:

1. Crew interviews (individual and group)
2. Aircraft inspection
3. Flight path reconstruction
4. Radar data analysis
5. Weather data verification

FAA Findings:

• Crew testimony deemed credible
• No equipment malfunctions found
• No conventional explanation identified
• Case classified as “unusual occurrence”

Military Review

U.S. Army: Internal investigation conducted National Guard Bureau: Review of crew qualifications and incident Result: No disciplinary action, crew supported

Air Traffic Control Analysis

Mansfield Approach: No radar contact with unidentified object Cleveland Approach: Helicopter observed climbing rapidly on radar Traffic Separation: No known aircraft in the area during incident

Technical Analysis

Aircraft Performance Analysis

Impossible Flight Characteristics:

• Helicopter climbed 1,800 feet with descent control inputs
• Rate of climb: 1,000 feet per minute (unusual for UH-1H)
• No engine power increase recorded
• Collective position indicating descent throughout climb

Engineering Assessment: The described flight characteristics are impossible under normal aerodynamic conditions for a UH-1H helicopter.

Electromagnetic Effects Study

Equipment Interference Pattern:

• Radio systems failed during object approach
• Compass deviation during close encounter
• Normal operation restored after object departure
• Pattern consistent with strong electromagnetic field

Technical Implications: Effects suggest presence of powerful electromagnetic source incompatible with conventional aircraft.

Green Light Analysis

Characteristics Observed:

• Coherent beam filling helicopter cabin
• No heat generation despite intense brightness
• Enhanced rather than impaired visibility
• No apparent effect on aircraft structure

Scientific Assessment: The described light characteristics are inconsistent with conventional lighting technology.

Alternative Explanations Examined

Military Aircraft

Assessment: Ruled out

• No military operations scheduled in area
• Performance characteristics exceed known aircraft
• Electromagnetic effects unexplained
• Shape and size inconsistent with military inventory

Commercial Aircraft

Assessment: Impossible

• No commercial traffic on radar
• Flight characteristics incompatible with civilian aircraft
• Proximity would have caused major aviation incident
• Shape and lighting inconsistent with commercial aircraft

Meteorological Phenomena

Assessment: Incompatible

• Clear weather conditions documented
• Structured object observed by multiple witnesses
• Controlled flight pattern rules out natural phenomena
• Electromagnetic effects unexplained by weather

Equipment Malfunction

Assessment: Unlikely

• Multiple systems affected simultaneously
• Visual observations corroborate instrument readings
• Ground witnesses confirm helicopter behavior
• Equipment functioned normally before and after incident

Hallucination/Disorientation

Assessment: Ruled out

• Multiple independent witnesses (air and ground)
• Instrument readings confirm unusual flight behavior
• Professional crew with extensive experience
• No evidence of physiological impairment

Scientific Interest

J. Allen Hynek Investigation

Date: November 1973 Conclusion: “This case stands as one of the most convincing UFO reports involving military personnel.”

NASA Interest

Informal Review: NASA personnel examined the case Assessment: No conventional explanation identified Recommendation: Continued scientific study warranted

Academic Analysis

Ohio State University: Atmospheric physics review Case Western Reserve: Engineering analysis Consensus: Conventional explanations inadequate

Long-term Impact

Military Policy

Reporting Procedures: Enhanced protocols for unusual phenomena Crew Support: Improved support for witnesses of anomalous events Training Updates: Recognition of electromagnetic interference potential

Aviation Safety

FAA Procedures: Updated reporting requirements for unusual encounters Pilot Training: Enhanced awareness of electromagnetic interference Air Traffic Control: Improved protocols for unexplained radar returns

Scientific Research

UFO Investigation: Established benchmark for military encounters Electromagnetic Studies: Influenced research into atmospheric electromagnetic effects Aviation Medicine: Enhanced understanding of crew stress factors

Media Coverage and Cultural Impact

Immediate Response

Local Media: Extensive coverage in Ohio newspapers National Attention: Major networks covered the story Aviation Press: Professional aviation publications featured analysis

Long-term Recognition

Documentary Features: Subject of multiple television documentaries Book Coverage: Featured in major UFO literature Academic Study: Case study in anomalous phenomena courses

Public Reaction

Military Community: Generally supportive of crew Aviation Industry: Professional recognition of crew credibility General Public: Mixed response, significant interest

Modern Analysis

Technology Assessment

1973 vs. Observed Capabilities:

• Electromagnetic interference beyond known aircraft effects
• Flight characteristics impossible with conventional propulsion
• Light beam technology decades ahead of 1973 capabilities
• Silent operation at observed performance levels

Contemporary Understanding: Even with modern technology, the observed characteristics remain difficult to explain or replicate.

Credibility Factors

Supporting Elements:

1. Four military witnesses with impeccable records
2. Ground witness corroboration
3. Radar confirmation of helicopter behavior
4. FAA investigation and documentation
5. Technical effects verified by multiple sources

Current Status

Official Recognition

FAA: Case remains unexplained in official files U.S. Army: No conventional explanation provided UFO Research: Considered one of the most credible military cases Academic Community: Recognized as significant anomalous event

Ongoing Research

• Electromagnetic effects analysis
• Helicopter performance studies
• Ground witness interviews
• Technical documentation preservation
• Comparative case analysis

Legacy

Military Training: Case study in unusual phenomena reporting Aviation Safety: Enhanced electromagnetic interference awareness UFO Research: Benchmark for military aircraft encounters Scientific Method: Model for interdisciplinary investigation

Conclusions

The Coyne Helicopter Incident represents one of the most compelling and well-documented military UFO encounters in aviation history. The combination of:

1. Highly Qualified Military Witnesses: Four experienced service members
2. Impossible Flight Characteristics: Documented helicopter behavior beyond normal capabilities
3. Electromagnetic Effects: Verified equipment interference and recovery
4. Ground Witness Corroboration: Independent confirmation of events
5. Official Investigation: Professional FAA and military review

Creates an exceptionally strong case that continues to challenge conventional explanation. The technical impossibility of the described helicopter performance, combined with the electromagnetic effects and multiple witness corroboration, makes this one of the most significant UFO cases involving military personnel.

The incident’s influence on military reporting procedures, aviation safety protocols, and UFO investigation methodology extends far beyond the five-minute encounter itself. Captain Coyne and his crew’s professional handling of the situation and their willingness to report and discuss the encounter has provided researchers with one of the most detailed and credible military UFO cases ever documented.

Despite extensive investigation and analysis, no conventional explanation has been found for the Coyne Helicopter Incident, ensuring its place as a cornerstone case in both military aviation history and UFO research.

Report compiled from FAA files, U.S. Army records, crew testimonies, and independent investigations. Technical analysis based on UH-1H performance specifications and documented electromagnetic effects.