The Telegraph
April 14, 2011
THREE commercial passenger planes have been targeted by a laser pointer in Sydney.
Police say the three incidents happened within an hour and half of each other last night as the planes were approaching the airport in Mascot.
The pilot of the third flight was struck in the eye by the high powered light.
Each of the planes landed safely.
Flight crews told police that the laser appeared to be coming from the Cronulla or Brighton areas.
High powered laser pointers are prohibited weapons and can't be possessed without a permit.
Sydney’s Occupied Territories: Laser Jihad or just the typical behavior of the prodigy of Islamic inbreeding ?
Seriously stupid: laser attacks on flightsSMH
Stephanie Gardiner
April 14, 2011 - 2:57PM
Laser strikes pilot in eye
Three passenger jets approaching Sydney airport have struck by a high powered laser, one pilot being hit in the eye.
People who point laser lights at planes should be treated like terrorists under the law, says a passenger who had a bright green beam shone at his window as his flight landed in Sydney overnight.
Laser lights were shone at three passenger planes last night, including a Qantas flight from Brisbane just after 9pm, police said.
Michael Manikas, who was on that flight returning home from a business trip, said a bright green light was shone at his window.
"I saw it flash around and it was pretty bright so it must have hit around the window where I was looking out.
"It's a stupid thing to do. I think they should be charged the same as a terrorist should be.
"If they bring a plane down, they've got 100 or 200 lives at risk."
A Jetstar flight was targeted about 10.25pm and a light was flashed into a Virgin Blue cockpit three minutes later, dazzling the pilot, police said.
All flights landed safely.
Police believe the incidents were linked and the laser was being shone from Cronulla or Brighton Le Sands.
Miranda police Inspector Leonard James said he could not understand what compelled people to target planes.
"It's a serious offence," Inspector James said. "The 400 or however many people on board that are at risk, plus anyone on the ground ... it's quite serious."
A spokesman from the Australian and International Pilots Association said laser lights could seriously distract pilots.
"Even at altitude, it can still be distracting because the natural tendency for anyone is to follow the source of the light.
"That can obviously dazzle you and even if it doesn't, it's just an unwanted distraction especially going through the reasonably complicated process of landing."
A spokesman for Qantas said: "Generally speaking, it's an irresponsible and dangerous thing to do, so we condemn it unequivocally."
People found with high powered laser pointers without a permit face two years in jail.
Anyone with information is asked to phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000
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