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Mansfield UFO Incident 1973: The Coyne Helicopter Encounter
On October 18, 1973, an Army Reserve helicopter crew over Mansfield, Ohio, encountered a mysterious cigar-shaped UFO with a green beam. Known as the Coyne Incident, it remains one of the most credible UFO cases in history.
Last Updated on August 22, 2025 by Daily News Staff
The Mansfield UFO Incident of 1973 — also known as the Coyne Helicopter Encounter — is one of the most documented and credible UFO sightings ever recorded. Involving trained U.S. Army Reserve pilots, multiple civilian witnesses, and unexplained aircraft behavior, this case continues to puzzle both experts and skeptics.
Timeline of Events: October 18, 1973
Crew on board the UH-1H Huey helicopter:
Captain Lawrence J. Coyne – Pilot in Command First Lieutenant Arrigo Jezzi – Co-Pilot Sergeant John Healey – Crew Chief Sergeant Robert Yanacsek – Flight Medic
The helicopter was flying from Port Columbus to Cleveland Hopkins Airport, cruising at 2,500 feet, when events took a mysterious turn.
The First Sighting
At 11:05 PM, Sergeant Yanacsek spotted a red light on the horizon. At first, it seemed like a distant aircraft, but it began approaching rapidly — closing the distance at an estimated speed of over 600 knots.
Evasive Action and Radio Failure
Captain Coyne initiated a descent to avoid a collision, dropping from 2,500 feet toward 1,700 feet. Attempts to contact Mansfield Airport failed — both UHF and VHF radios went dead.
Direct Confrontation
The approaching light slowed and stopped directly in front of the helicopter. The crew saw a metallic cigar-shaped craft approximately 60 feet long, with a dome and red and white lights at each end. Without warning, a brilliant green beam illuminated the cockpit.
Uncontrolled Ascent
The helicopter suddenly climbed at more than 1,000 feet per minute without pilot control, reaching 3,500 feet before the beam disappeared.
Civilian Witnesses Confirm the Event
Multiple witnesses on the ground in Mansfield reported seeing the same strange object. Some described the light as turning the night sky a vivid green. One family reported their yard was “lit up like daylight” during the encounter.
The UFO Departs
After several seconds, the green beam shut off. The UFO tilted upward, made a sharp 45-degree turn, and sped toward Lake Erie, disappearing from sight in seconds.
Official Recognition and Investigation
The case was investigated by:
The U.S. Army, The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Civilian UFO research organizations
It received national attention and won the National Enquirer Blue Ribbon Panel Award for “most scientifically valuable UFO report of 1973.”
Why the Coyne Incident Still Matters
The 1973 Mansfield UFO sighting stands out because:
Multiple trained military witnesses provided consistent testimony. Civilian eyewitness accounts matched the crew’s description. Electronic interference and unexplained flight behavior were documented. The UFO demonstrated controlled maneuvers beyond known aviation technology of the time.
🔗 Mansfield UFO Incident Related Links
Coyne Incident over Charles Mill Lake was most credible UFO sighting of 1973 – Ashland Source
Coyne Incident focused UFO attention on north central Ohio in 1973 – Richland Source
Coyne Helicopter Incident – 1973 – Epilogue (Cleveland Ufology)
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