Posted on 12/29/2004 6:17:12 PM PST by Next_Time_NJ
CLEVELAND - Authorities are investigating a mysterious laser beam that was directed into the cockpit of a commercial jet traveling at more than 8,500 feet.
The beam appeared Monday when the plane was about 15 miles from Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, the FBI (news - web sites) said.
"It was in there for several seconds like (the plane) was being tracked," FBI agent Robert Hawk said.
The pilot was able to land the plane, and air traffic controllers used radar to determine the laser came from a residential area in suburban Warrensville Heights.
Hawk said the laser had to have been fairly sophisticated to track a plane traveling at that altitude. Authorities had no other leads.
There have been several reports of lasers directed at commercial flights in the past year, the FBI said. The beams can distract or temporarily blind a pilot.
The Federal Aviation Administration (news - web sites) mandates that laser light shows must register their locations and the lights cannot be directed above 3,000 feet. Lasers are also often used by construction companies to line up foundations.
Interfering with a commercial flight is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
This attempt to blind the pilot reminds me of Lt. Cmdr. Jack Daly (Ret.) who was struck in the eyes in 1997 by a Russian laser likely from the Russian ship "Kapitan Man".
To this day he suffers pain and severely limited vision.
To this day he is still seeking recognition from the US military that this event happened.
The area from which the laser was tracked is not exactly the "crown jewel" of NE Ohio. It is scary how little is necessary to hurt the innocent
A similar incident was reported on 9/28. Is this old news?
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1229929/posts
If the author of this writing is suggesting that a construction line level laser can be dangerous at 8500 feet, I have a bridge that he might want to buy!
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In 2003...
...Friend of HILLARY Senator BARBARA BOXER is the first to publically aggressively warn us via the media about the possibility of American Jetliners being shot down by guided missiles. And then does so again last week.
This week the 1st Laser tracking of an American Jetliner, possibly for targeting purposes, is seen in Warrensville Heights, Ohio.
In 2003...
...the 1st spark of a massive East Coast Power Blackout comes just 15 miles from HILLARY's 'HILLARY for President' Campaign/Booksigning Event the previous night held in Shaker Heights, Ohio.
Curiouser & Curiouser, Ohio..?
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Similar story on front page of Colorado Springs' Gazette newspaper re: two aircraft landing at the Colorado Springs airport Tuesday reported the same thing - "laser-like" beams aimed at the cockpits.
That is some kinda fancy radar that can detect a laser beam . . .
There was a thread on this topic earlier today and it had the same photo you posted. Strange ...
Really? LOL wow..
I'm also a former Buckeye, so let's see if my memory is working. I lived in Maple Hts for a number of years, so if I'm correct, Warrensville Hts. is about ten mins (or less) from Maple Hts. and where Randall Park Mall used to be? All of the Cleveland 'burbs, Warrensville wasn't very high up on the "wish I lived there" list.
OMG - it's Dark Helmet.
So is the "group think" here implying that mooselimbs jumped from boxcutters to laser guided weapons?
Oy vey!
Warnesville Hts is south of metro Cleveland.Near teh 480 expressway. Brusnwick has truly grown as a nice mid/upper class bedroom community. People leave the more croweded smaller communties to buy/build there.
I had heard the airline on the radio yesterday about 3 PM (incar with friend, half listening & half talking) but truly cannot remember. I just checked the morning paper & they said "refused to name airline" I'll post back if I find out more
the buzz is that it is continental.
heard also there have been six instances in the past 4 days. I suspect kids have new toys but I tend to be in denial too often
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