Police warn that aiming lasers at aircraft could carry a 5-year prison term.
East Midlands Airport Police said:
‘Last night we received notification of a green laser strike upon an inbound aircraft.
‘Unacceptable!
‘It is an offence to direct or shine a laser so as to dazzle or distract a pilot.
‘Causing endangerment to an aircraft can result in a 5-year custodial sentence.’
According to the Civil Aviation Authority ( CAA ):
‘In one incident in July 2017, a UK airliner was targeted by a green laser during its approach to land.
‘While the aircraft landed safely, the laser temporarily impaired the vision of one of the pilots who had to hand control over to the co-pilot.
‘On the ground, the pilot was deemed unfit to fly until they recovered normal vision.
‘This event was an unnecessary and avoidable distraction to flight crew during a high workload phase of flight and could have led to serious injury of the crew.
Laser attacks are most common near large city airports.
They happen across the UK and are not limited to large commercial aircraft. General aviation and emergency helicopter flights are also targeted. This is of great concern to single pilot operations where there is no other crew member to deal with the distraction or potential incapacitation of a pilot.
If you see someone shining a laser at an aircraft, contact your local police.
The Laser Misuse (Vehicles) Act 2018 now means that offenders can face an unlimited fine and even face a jail sentence of up to 5 years for endangering an aircraft. The UK CAA coordinates the operation and work of the UK Laser Working Group (UKLWG), an Industry/UK CAA group put together to identify key risks associated with laser attacks.
