A new spat of laser pointer attacks on airplanes has prompted a reminder from Transport Canada that shining bright lights at aircrafts is both dangerous and illegal.
Over a 90-minute span Wednesday night, 12 pilots, including one flying for Toronto’s Porter Airlines, reported being hit by lasers as they flew over New Jersey.
Though no injuries were reported, the American Federal Aviation Administration said the event wasn’t isolated.
“In addition to the laser incidents reported in New Jersey, pilots reported 23 other laser incidents around the country last night,” the FAA said in a statement.
In a statement, Transport Canada said it’s aware of the New Jersey incidents.
“Aiming a directed bright light source into the cockpit of an aircraft jeopardizes aviation safety, is hazardous to pilots, and threatens passenger safety,” Transport Canada said.
Last year, the FBI began offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of anyone who maliciously points a laser at an aircraft. With nearly 4,000 incidents recorded in the U.S. in 2013 – a 1,000 per cent increase from 2005 – pilots being distracted or temporarily blinded by laser light is a growing problem in the U.S.
Canadian pilots are also dealing with the same issues. Last year, there were 502 reported laser strike incidents – an increase from 2013’s 469, and almost three times as many incidents as the 188 reported in 2010. As of May 31, there have been 229 incidents in 2015.
Air Canada pilot Russ Ballman has had to deal with the problem first-hand. He and his co-pilot were hit three times last year landing in Vancouver.
“I took a direct hit in my left eye,” Ballman said. “We elected to continue with autopilot on, full automations until we felt safe (and felt) that one of us could land the aircraft.”
Transport Canada is teaming up with the RCMP to crack down on aircraft laser strikes, which come with a maximum penalty of $100,000 and five years in jail.
With a report from CTV's Omar Sachedina
