FBI Probes Laser Beam Directed at Cockpit

[johnjpender]

FBI Probes Laser Beam Directed at Cockpit
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 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, and are investigating whether the incident was a prank or if there was a more sinister motive.

In Colorado Springs, Colo., Monday night, two pilots reported green pulsating laser lights shined into their cockpits. Both the passenger plane and a cargo plane landed without problems.

Police dispatched patrol cars and a helicopter to a neighborhood to investigate but found nothing. FBI agents were continuing to conduct interviews, agency spokeswoman Monique Kelso said.

Federal officials have expressed concern about terrorists using laser beams, which can distract or temporarily blind a pilot.

A memo sent to law enforcement agencies recently by the FBI and the Homeland Security Department says there is evidence that terrorists have explored using lasers as weapons. Authorities said there is no specific intelligence indicating al-Qaida or other groups might use lasers in the United States.

In September a pilot for Delta Air Lines reported an eye injury from a laser beam shone into the cockpit during a landing approach in Salt Lake City. The incident occurred about 5 miles from the airport. The plane landed safely.

Lasers are commonly used in a number of industries and are featured in outdoor light shows.

The FAA 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.

"A memo sent to law enforcement agencies recently by the FBI and the Homeland Security Department says there is evidence that terrorists have explored using lasers as weapons. "

Is this a valid worry? This article caught my eye because last spring my dad's friend reported a Middle Easstern Man using a device with a red light to measure or take pictures of a busy train station platform before the first train arrived.

[se0sea]

I have heard about this. very scary thing. especially that lasers are very easy to obtain.

[johnjpender]

Originally Posted by se0sea

I have heard about this. very scary thing. especially that lasers are very easy to obtain.

Well, also last summer they found a shoulder held rocket launcher in a field near Atlanta's airport and I think it was the year before where they picked up an Indian man trying to buy shoulder held rocket launchers in NJ.

[JohnRN]

The Sept. 11 hijacks were done with the use of friggin' box-cutters.

My point is pretty much anything and everything can be used as a weapon. If somebody threw a wrench high enough as an airplane was taking the turn into the final landing circle, it could wreck the engine and cause a catastrophic crash.

I could think of a thousand and one things to get an aircraft down.

[scott.voigt]

Scary thought... question is, is this just a bunch of random incidents or is a group testing targeting lasers? Scary thought

[Woodmonkey]

This was being discussed on the news today. Some security experts suggest that this should be looked into closely because it just might mean some are doing a trial run. It could be anything from kids playing around to terrorists. Better safe than sorry.

At any rate it is illegal to point lasers at people, autos, trains and, especially, airplanes.

[se0sea]

when tcw and I had our protectthem.com site,some guy from indoneisia tried to but 2 night vision scopes from us with 5 different stolen credit cards. each scope was 2500 bucks a piece. homeland sec. warned not to do business with anyone from there.I`d rather lose out on the money rather than seel to a terrorist. I wonder if they ever tracked him down.