Thanks for the ping!
I don't recall seeing the NJ incident in earlier posts. I apologize if it's already been posted.
Authorities Investigate Report Of Laser Beams Aimed At Plane In N.J.
POSTED: 10:31 am EST December 31, 2004
TRENTON, N.J. -- The FBI is investigating an incident in which lasers were apparently aimed at a pilot preparing to land at Teterboro Airport.
The pilot, who has not been identified, reported that three green lasers were pointed into his cockpit Wednesday night. They were believed to have originated in the vicinity of Willowbrook Mall in Wayne, said Bill Maer, a spokesman for the Passaic County Sheriff's Office.
The pilot saw the lasers on his approach to Teterboro, according to Maer.
The plane, a corporate-owned Cessna Citation with 13 people aboard, was about 11 miles from the airport when the incident occurred, authorities said. It landed safely and no injuries were reported.
The FBI and the Federal Aviation Administration were investigating the incident Thursday, according to spokesmen with both organizations. New Jersey State Police, the county sheriff's office and the Wayne police department were also involved in the investigation.
Several recent incidents involving laser beams aimed at aircraft have raised concerns about possible terrorist activity. A federal law enforcement official speaking on condition of anonymity told The Associated Press that the FBI is investigating six incidents that have occurred in the last four days around the country.
On Monday, one incident involving a commercial jet occurred about 15 miles from Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, and two pilots reported seeing laser beams near Colorado Springs. All three planes landed safely. Law enforcement officials also said a laser was aimed at a plane landing in Medford, Ore., on Christmas night.
No arrests have been reported. Interfering with a commercial flight is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison.
Laser beams can distract or temporarily blind a pilot. They can only enter a plane through glass, according to Dr. Linda Connell, director of the Aviation Safety Reporting System at NASA's Ames Research Center in California, which analyzes reports from pilots, flight attendants and other airplane personnel. Some pilots have reported the beams have richoceted around a plane's cockpit, and at least one has reported suffering an eye injury, Connell said.
The FBI and Homeland Security Department have sent a memo to law enforcement agencies stating that there is evidence that terrorists have explored using lasers as weapons, though there has been no specific intelligence indicating terrorist group plan to use lasers in the United States.
"That is the real dilemma," Connell said. "Is this kids with pranks, or something that is more of a challenge to the system?"
Lasers are featured in outdoor light shows and are used by construction companies to line up foundations. The FAA mandates that laser light shows must register their locations and the lights cannot be directed above 3,000 feet.