In February, a U.S. Coast Guard C-130 on approach to Kalaeloa Airport in Hawaii was hit by the beam from a laser pointer. According to media reports, no one was hurt, but it was the third time in four months that a Coast Guard aircraft operating in the region had been tagged by a laser. Here at Flight Safety Foundation, we fielded a report in January from a pilot at a European airline who days earlier had been on final approach to an airport in Brazil when his aircraft was attacked by “a strong green laser” for about 45 seconds as he was passing the outer marker. The crew’s night vision was affected, but they continued and landed the aircraft without additional problems.
A quick Internet search turns up numerous reports and statements of concern about laser interference with flight from airlines, pilot unions, regulators and law enforcement officials around the world. The laser targeting of aircraft, particularly low-flying aircraft, is growing and dangerous. According to data…
