TRENTON, NJ-January 2, 2005 — Several people are questioned about two incidents in which laser beams were aimed at aircraft flying over Morris County. But no arrests have been made so far.
Both aircraft were targeted by the lasers this week in the vicinity of Teterboro Airport. On Wednesday night, a pilot preparing to land the jet saw three green laser beams about eleven miles from the airport.
And on Friday, a Port Authority of New York and New Jersey police helicopter was hit by a laser.
No injuries were reported in either incident. They remain under investigation by state and federal authorities.
FBI: Laser Beams Aimed Into Cockpits 6 Times Recently (12/30/04)
Laser Beams Could Temporarily Blind Pilots
UPDATED: 2:51 PM EST December 30, 2004 WASHINGTON -- An FBI official said there have been six recent incidents involving laser beams being aimed into cockpits of commercial airliners.
A federal law enforcement official said the bureau is investigating one such report in Cleveland and two in Colorado Springs, Colo., as well as three others.
The first three took place on Monday, and all planes involved landed safely. There's no word on when or where the other three incidents occurred, although the official indicated they all happened over the last four days.
In the Cleveland incident, authorities say a laser beam was directed into the cockpit of a commercial jet traveling 300 mph at more than 8,500 feet. The plane arriving from Washington, D.C., was about 15 miles from Cleveland Hopkins International Airport when the beam appeared. An FBI agent said it remained for several seconds, like the plane was being tracked.
The FBI is investigating whether it was a prank or whether there was another motive. Authorities said the laser had to have been fairly sophisticated to track a plane traveling at that altitude.
The FBI believes the laser beam prankster used a laser beam that is common to the construction industry, according to Cleveland TV station WEWS. It is relatively powerful, and is generally used to mark or level job sites before construction begins.
A recent memo sent to law enforcement agencies said there's evidence that terrorists have explored using lasers as weapons. But authorities said there is no specific intelligence showing al-Qaida or other groups might use such weapons in the United States.
Interfering with flight crews is a federal felony. Laser beams can distract or temporarily blind a pilot. A person who is convicted of the crime could face up to 20 years in federal prison.
Federal Aviation Administration regulations mandate that laser light shows must register their locations and the lights cannot be directed above 3,000 feet.
U.S. Air Flight #98 from Philadelphia to London Returns to Philadelphia (1/2/05)
This story is being reported by the local Philadelphia ABC news station. So far there is no story on their web site...or via Google to verify.
They are reporting that last night (1/2/05) U.S Air flight #98 was three hours into the flight to London, and then returned to Philadelphia for some unknown reason. They are saying that no additional information is being given at this time. I will update with additional info. as it is reported...unless of course this story just vanishes with no additional update.
Here's the story you're looking for:
Flight Diverted Back to Philly
PHILA. INT'L AIRPORT-January 3, 2005 — An US Airways flight bound for London from Philadelphia is back in the air this morning this after it diverted back to the city.
Flight 98 was scheduled to leave at 8:20pm Sunday but left over an hour behind schedule.
It was three hours into flight when it was diverted back to Philadelphia.
Flight 98 arrived at Philadelphia International around 2:27 am Monday, then took off again just minutes later.
There's no word from officials about the reason behind the diversion.
http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/news/01032005_nw_planediverted.html
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1313057/posts
"Someone knows something about lasers being used as weapons."
CDC ^ | 1/3/05 | Self
Posted on 01/03/2005 10:06:09 AM PST by Blood of Tyrants