• Full Story

Man arrested after 'lasering' aircraft

Email
Print

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 11:53a.m.

Crew in all four aircrafts were affected with temporary flash blindness (file pic)

Crew in all four aircrafts were affected with temporary flash blindness (file pic)

An 18-year-old man has been arrested after pointing a laser beam at aircraft approaching Auckland International Airport.

Counties Manukau Police arrested the man on four charges of endangering transport after her ‘lasered’ three commercial aircrafts yesterday evening.

The fourth charge relates to the 'lasering' of the police Eagle Helicopter, which was targeted with a laser beam after being deployed in response to the incident.  

Police are keen to stress that pointing a laser at an aircraft is a serious offence – crew in all four aircrafts were affected with temporary flash blindness from the laser beam, placing the aircraft in danger.

“People may think the act of pointing a laser at an aircraft is a bit of a joke,” Detective Inspector Dave Lynch says.

“However the pilots involved were all affected by the laser which has potential to endanger the aircraft, especially on a landing approach.”

The charges each carry a term of 14 years imprisonment.

3 News

Become a fan of 3 News on Facebook and on Twitter.

Post a Comment

Before commenting, please take the time to read our moderation guide


(Won't be published)



Comments

01 Feb 2012 09:18p.m.

David wrote:

@Bob - 14 years is fair enough, given the potential outcome of actually bringing down an aircraft with one of these lasers. Pointing a laser pointer at an aircraft is sheer madness, not "a bit of fun" as you like to call it!

27 Jan 2012 05:22p.m.

pondering wrote:

@ John: those beams are strong. They are painful to the eyes. They go for a long distance. They are not classroom pointers. There has been a serial laser lout plaguing and endangering the aircraft and drivers in that area for some time. There are many picturesque public spots in that area one can drive past or sit in and target aircraft as they come in for landing.

27 Jan 2012 04:55p.m.

Bob wrote:

14 Years what a joke!! just give him $1000 fine he has learned his lesson.. just a kid havin abit of fun as we all do in our teens.

27 Jan 2012 04:21p.m.

bee wrote:

Name and shame the loser for other losers to see and learn!

27 Jan 2012 04:06p.m.

jam wrote:

yes i agree with john ..i think thers bean a bit of slight boost to get this storey up and going ..yes its bad to shine at any thing moveing but hey i wasint flying what woud i no

27 Jan 2012 03:52p.m.

Guest wrote:

I say let him rot in jail. He get his kicks by endangering peoples lives, so let's put his family alone in a plane and let me do the laser, see how he likes it.

27 Jan 2012 03:11p.m.

John wrote:

Must have been one hell of a laser to cause "temporary flash blindness" in the crew of a moving aircraft from a distance. I imagine it would have been nearly impossible to actually HIT the aircraft, let alone direct the beam through a window and into the crews eyes...