Posted on 02/25/2005 7:15:49 AM PST by Lijahsbubbe
ROMULUS, Mich. (AP) - Two Northwest Airlines pilots said laser lights were shone into their cockpits as they were about to land their planes at Detroit Metropolitan Airport, authorities said.
A flight from Orlando, Fla., landed safely at 7:20 p.m. EST Thursday, followed at 8 p.m. by a flight from Montego Bay, Jamaica, FBI Special Agent Terry Booth told The Detroit News.
The pilots told air traffic controllers that green laser light came from an area along Interstate 94 just east of the airport. Airport security reported the incidents to the Transportation Security Administration, which in turn notified the FBI.
"They were making their approaches, and the pilots reported seeing a green laser-like light shining towards their aircraft," Booth said.
A search around the airport was started shortly after the pilots filed their reports, but no suspects were found, Booth said.
Scott Tennant, a spokesman for Northwest Airlines Corp., said all flights at the airport departed and landed safely on Thursday night. He referred additional questions to federal authorities.
Telephone messages were left Friday morning with a spokeswoman for the FBI's Detroit office and the Federal Aviation Administration.
Over the past four months, the FAA has received dozens of reports of lasers being pointed at airplanes in several states. Laser illuminations can briefly disorient a pilot during the critical flight stages of ascending and descending.
Six airline pilots told authorities they saw a laser while approaching Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport on Sunday evening. No lasers were aimed at the airplanes' cockpits, the FBI's Dallas office said.
It is a 20-year federal felony to interfere with flight crews.
Over the past four months, the FAA has received dozens of reports of lasers being pointed at airplanes in several states. Laser illuminations can briefly disorient a pilot during the critical flight stages of ascending and descending.
Laser illuminations can pinpoint a target and guide a missile.
Time to make an example out of these clymers.
I can't recall if they've ever caught anyone doing this.
I've heard different angles on this story, one being they are just 'pranksters'.
I don't know, this just seems so widespread. I'm wondering if someone is preparing for a simultaneous attack on our planes.
I remember that a lot of these incidents occured right after Christmas.
Most likely it foolish kids. Lazers are for sale all over the 'net.
Targeting lasers are generally not visible.
It's time to roll out the big guns. Take the experimental aircraft with laser weapons on a few flights, include auto-tracking device to pinpoint the source, and 'beam' them back, with about 10 million/billion watts, or whatever they have.
Seems possible -- an updated Bojinka.
Thanks.
Why are they Lasers.
Dearborne, MI - a suburb of Detroit - has the largest per capita Muslim population in the nation. Just coincidence, I'm sure. </sarcasm>
Yes, they caught a man in January.
You know, if the press would stop reporting these (most likely) pranks, then people would stop doing it.
Does anybody in the MSM think about what they do?
No they can't. There isn't a single laser guided anti-aircraft missile in the entire world. Anti-aircraft missiles are either guided by infrared heat seekers in their noses, or by radar returns.
The only use for lasers is to designate a ground target for either air-to-ground missiles such as the Hellfire, or for laser guided bombs such as the Pavetack.
Furthermore, the lasers used for such target designation are in the infrared band, so as to not tip off the enemy that they are being 'illuminated.' (And no, it's not the same kind of infrared that heat seeking anti-aircraft missiles use.)
These green laser incidents are being done by stupid people who have bought green laser pointers. A green laser is much more visable in the night sky than a red laser pointer, and are often used by astronomy classes. The instructor can use the laser pointer to "point out" a star or constellation, and everybody can see the faint green line that projects into the sky to see where he is talking about. This green line is what makes green laser pointers so easy to aim at an aircraft on final approach, espeically when the aircraft has its landing lights turned on. Just point at the 'headlights in the sky.'
Another incident with the laser lights.
Targeting lasers are generally not visible.
Thanks.
Why are they Lasers.
More Aircraft Laser Incidents Pinned on Gay Club-Goers
ping
There have been several more reported at the Dallas Ft Worth airport as well.
I wonder if it's kids or dopes or those wishing harm testing to see if they can bring a plane down that way.
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