FBI Probes Laser Beam Directed at Cockpit

[BEER980]

CLEVELAND - 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.
Source

[streetsoldier]

It is posssible to "paint" an aircraft as a target using green lasers, and coordinating the beam with an improvised SAM, but it requires technical expertise...unless Al Qaida had "bought" some unemployed Eastern European technogeek to train their people.

Red lasers won't do the trick...only green ones. One online retailer has already taken green lasers off sale as a result of this investigation...but too many have NOT.

[mobilebay]

This is scary, and I have a bad fealing about this. If it was just one incident I would not be so concerned.

[vbhoutex]

Also a report of it happening here in Houston and/or Houston being a target for such. This has just been reported in our local media yesterday and today.

[mobilebay]

I'm just scared someone might be trying to coordinate an attack at differnent locations. It's sad but after 9-11, I just think that way.

[BEER980]

It might be a probe or it might be leading up to something. AQ might be testing to see what reaction there is or they could be doing a dry run for training. The laser is covering a good distance and not just a laser pointer being used by a kid. A gun mounted laser would only go about 500 yards.