DISPOSITION FORM AR 340-15: the proponent agency is The Adjutant General’s
Office.
Reference Office Symbol ) Subject ) ) Near Midair Collision with UFO Report
To Commandor Flight Operations Off DATE 23 Nov 73 Cmt 1 83D USARCOM USAR
Flight Facility
ATTN: AHRCCG Cleveland Hopkins Airport Columbus Support Facility Cleveland, Ohio
44135
1. On 18 October 1973 at 2305 hours in the vicinity of Mansfield, Ohio, Army
Helicopter 68-15444 assigned to Cleveland USARFFAC encountered a near midair
collision with a unidentified flying object. Four crewmembers assigned to the
Cleveland USARFFAC for flying proficiency were on AFTP status when this incident
occurred. The flight crew assigned was CPT Lawrence J. Coyne, Pilot in
Command,1LT Arrigo Jozzi, Copilot, SSG Robert Yanacsek, Crew Chief, SSG John
Healey,Flight Medio,All the above personnel are member of the 316th MED DET(HEL
AMB). a tenant reserve unit of the Cleveland USARFFAC.
2. The reported incident happened as follows: Army Helicopter 68-15444 was
returning from Columbus, Ohio to Cleveland, Ohio and at 2305 hours east, south
east of Mansfield Airport in the vicinity of Mansfield, Ohio while flying at an
altitude of 2500 feet and on a heading of 030 degrees, SSG Yanacsek observed a
red light on the east horizon,90 drgrees to the flight path of the helicopter.
Approximately 30 seconds later, SSG Yanacsek indicated the object was converging
on the helicopter at the same altitude at a airspeed in excess of 600 knots and
on a midair collision heading.
Cpt Coyne observed the converging object, took over the controls of the
aircraft and initiated a power descent from 2500 feet to 1700 feet to avoid
impact with the object. A radio call was initiated to Mansfield Tower who
acknowledged the helicopter and was asked by CPT Coyne if there were any high
performance aircraft flying in the vicinity of Mansfield Airport however there
was no response received from the tower. The crew expected impact from the
object instead, the object was observed to hesistate momontarily over the
helicopter and then slowly continued on a westerly course accelerating at a high
rate of speed, clear west of Mansfield Airport then turn 45 degree heading to
the Northwest.
Cpt Coyne indicated the altimeter read a 1000 fpm olimp and read 3500 feet
with the collective in the full down position. The aircraft was returned to 2500
feet by CPT Coyne and flown back to Cleveland, Ohio. The flight plan was closed
and the FAA Flight Service Station notified of the incident. The FSS told CPT
Coyne to report the incident to the FAA GADO office a Cleveland Hopkins Airport
Mr. Porter, 83d USARCOM was notified of the incident at 1530 hours on 19 Oct 73.
3. This report has been read and attested to by the crewmembers of the
aircraft with signatures acknowledgeing this report.
Lawrence J. Coyne Arrigo Jozzi
Robert Yanacsek John Healey
DA FORM 2496