FBI: Plane laser attacks grow in US

The US Federal Bureau of Investigation said its anti-terrorism unit was investigating lasers that have increasingly been targeting commercial airplanes arriving at New York City’s airports, highlighting a problem that is plaguing airports around the country.

The incidents – which “can temporarily or permanently blind a pilot and crew” – have increased 17 percent since last year, according to the statement from the FBI dated Friday.

The two latest incidents happened Tuesday. The first, at 7:35 pm local time (2335 GMT), involved a flight with regional carrier Shuttle America.

“The aircraft cockpit was illuminated by a green laser” as it approached La Guardia airport, while it was around six miles (10 kilometers) away, the FBI said.

The laser beam came from the Bronx, one of the five boroughs of New York City, according to the crew.

In the second incident, three hours later, a private aircraft reported another green laser coming from Queens, around two miles (three kilometers) southwest of La Guardia airport.

No one was injured in Tuesday’s incidents, but “several commercial pilots earlier this year suffered significant injury including a burnt retina”, the FBI said.

The agency “is asking anyone with information about any of these dangerous laser incidents to pick up the phone and call us,” George Venizelos, a top FBI official in New York said. “Our paramount concern is the safety of aircraft passengers and crew.”

The statement said the agency is offering a reward of an unspecified amount for information leading to an arrest and conviction.

According to Federal Aviation Authority, laser incidents have been increasing for several years. Across US, some 3,592 incidents were reported in 2011, up from 2,836 incidents the year before.

It is a crime in the United States to point a laser at an airplane – punishable with jail time and a fine up to $11,000.

The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, which is leading the investigation, comprises more than 50 local, state and federal agencies. Indian Express

AHT/DB