Laser pointer impairs pilot's vision approaching LAX

Sid Garcia Image
Saturday, June 21, 2014
Laser impairs pilot's vision approaching LAX
A laser pointed at a commercial airliner resulted in the pilot's visual impairment during the plane's approach to LAX Wednesday.

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A laser pointed at a commercial airliner resulted in the pilot's visual impairment during the plane's approach to LAX Wednesday morning, putting passengers and crew at risk.



No suspect has been identified.



Los Angeles leads the country in airport laser strikes.



The Federal Aviation Administration said the laser strike on Wednesday morning struck a U.S. Airways Airbus approaching Los Angeles International Airport.



The plane, according to the FAA, was at an altitude of 9,000 feet when the beam hit the cockpit.



Lt. Steve Robertson is a helicopter pilot for the Glendale Police Department. He's been the victim of a laser strike in his police helicopter.



"Your entire cockpit turns green," said Robertson.



Lt. Robertson says someone flashed a laser into his chopper and permanently damaged his corneas.



The FBI confirms to Eyewitness News that it's investigating Wednesday's laser strike.



Pointing a laser at an aircraft is a federal offense punishable by up to five years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine for each incident.



The FAA said Wednesday's laser strike did impair the pilot for a short time.



Lt. Robertson says a laser strike can be one of a number of factor that could bring a plane down.



"If you take a fatigued crew, a crew that's not familiar working together, flying into an unknown airport in deteriorating weather, and then also throw in a green laser beam on 'short final,' that could have catastrophic results," said Robertson.



In March, a man was sentenced to 14 years in prison for pointing a laser at helicopter pilots in flight in Fresno.



The FBI offers a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in the investigation.



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