File 127 · 18 October 1973
Coyne helicopter encounter
Mansfield, Ohio, United States
Opened 9/4/2026
Ledger illustration of the file — not a photograph of the object. Ledger illustration of the report. Ohio night over woods. — Night Ledger illustration of the file
Standing
Unidentified
On the public record, and still open. A claim, paper, or film — not a finding that it was ours, and not a finding that it was not.
What was claimed
An Army Reserve helicopter crew reported a gray craft with a green beam that seemed to lift their aircraft against the controls.
What is on the record
This file is a working record — a report, not a verdict. Official paper, if any, is linked where we have it.
Capt. Lawrence Coyne and three crew in a Huey, flying from Columbus to Cleveland at night, saw a red light close at high speed. Coyne put the helicopter into a descent; the altimeter later showed a climb he said he had not commanded. A cigar or metallic shape with a green beam filled the windshield, then departed. Ground witnesses near Mansfield reported a similar object and the helicopter.
The Army took statements. Skeptics have offered a fireball and instrument error. Four military aircrew, a radio call, and civilians on the ground in the same minutes.
Could this have been ours?
The known sky, that night.
Satellites were already up. The station was not. Starlink was not.
Always
Aircraft, balloons, meteors
Landing lights, flares, lanterns, reentries, fireballs. They are on the known sky. They do not close a file by themselves — they are what a serious look has to hold the claim against.
Orbit · Space — the desks for lights that are already named.
Sources
Related files
Same craft, same place, same years. A neighbor in the catalogue — not a conclusion.
Same craft · Same country · 17 November 1986
Japan Air Lines 1628
Over Alaska · United States
Unidentified
A JAL cargo 747 over Alaska reported a gigantic craft. FAA radar confirmed an unknown near the aircraft. The captain drew it for investigators.
Same country · Same year · November 2, 1973, ~3:00 a.m.
Lyndia Morel Occupant Encounter
Manchester / Goffstown, New Hampshire · United States
Unidentified
While driving home from work, masseuse Lyndia Morel observed a glowing orange-gold honeycomb-patterned globe with an oval window containing a wrinkled humanoid figure that appeared to communicate telepathically. The object followed her car, causing distress until she reached a house for help. Investigated by APRO consultants Walter Webb and Betty Hill with detailed interviews.
Same country · Same year · November 2, 1973
Lyndia Morel Humanoid Encounter
Manchester / Goffstown, New Hampshire · United States
Unidentified
Lyndia Morel, driving home late at night, encountered a glowing orange-gold globular object with a honeycomb pattern and an oval window. She observed a humanoid figure inside with a wrinkled gray face, large dark eyes, and slit mouth. The object appeared to exert control over her vehicle until she escaped to a nearby house.
Same country · Same year · November 2, 1973
Manchester Cemetery Figure
Manchester, New Hampshire · United States
Unidentified
Lyndia Morel was driving home when a glowing object paced her car. A humanoid figure with large eyes was visible inside a window-like opening. The encounter included physical effects on the vehicle and witness. It was investigated and documented in contemporary UFO literature with a dated interview.
Same country · Same year · October 17, 1973, ~10:00 PM
Falkville Metal Man Sighting
Falkville, Alabama · United States
Unidentified
Police Chief Jeff Greenhaw responded to a call about a landed UFO and encountered a tall humanoid figure in a shiny metallic suit with an antenna on its head. He took four Polaroid photographs before the being moved away rapidly in a jerky manner. Greenhaw pursued it in his patrol car but could not keep up. The case received widespread press coverage during the 1973 UFO wave.
Same country · Same year · 11 October 1973
Pascagoula river
Pascagoula, Mississippi · United States
Unidentified
Two shipyard workers fishing off a pier said a craft took them aboard. They were held overnight, polygraphed, and never recanted.