Coyne helicopter encounter
- Date
- 18 Oct 1973
- Place
- Near Mansfield, Ohio, United States
- Record
- Curated case
- Assessment
- Contested
- Evidence strength
What was reported
The four-man crew of an Army Reserve UH-1H helicopter under Capt. Lawrence Coyne reported a red light closing on a collision course at night; they described a grey cigar-shaped object stopping above them and a green beam sweeping the cockpit, after which the helicopter climbed from about 1,700 to 3,500 feet although Coyne had the controls set to descend, and their radio failed. A family on the ground later told investigator Jennie Zeidman they had seen the object and the helicopter together. Philip Klass proposed a bright Orionid fireball, which fits the closing light but not the reported hover. There is no radar or photographic record.
What officials concluded
No conclusion stated
No official explanation has been given.
Strongest ordinary reading
None established; a bright meteor proposed (Klass) and disputed
Evidence profile
- Yes: Visual
- No: Infrared
- No: Radar
- No: Video
- No: Photo
- No: Film
- No: Audio
- No: Night vision
- No: Other sensor
- Yes: Civilian
- Yes: Military aircrew
- No: Military ground
- No: Airline crew
- No: Sensor operator
- No: Law enforcement
- No: Scientist
- No: Astronaut
- No: Intelligence official
- No: Other
- No: Light only
- No: Orb or sphere
- No: Disc
- No: Triangle
- Yes: Cylinder
- No: Cube
- No: Other shape
- No: Physiological
- No: Physical trace
- Yes: Electromagnetic
- No: Sound
- No: Silent
Outside sources
On the map
40.76° N, 82.52° W, plotted at the centre of the region named in the record
Show on the map