Houston flights hit with dangerous laser strikes
HOUSTON -- Passengers on several flights that arrived in Houston on Sunday evening had no idea their pilots were landing the planes while being flashed by lasers, a dangerous annoyance that experts say is becoming far too common.As Southwest Airlines Flight 2405 approached Hobby Airport, it reported a green laser shining through the right side of the cockpit. The flight was just 1,000 feet from the ground, but it managed to land safely. So did Atlantic Southeast Flight 4531, which also reported a laser strike as it came into land at Bush Airport.But pilot Michael Turner says one day a flight won't land safely."They're putting 150 to 200 people in danger," said Turner, assistant chief pilot at American Jet International. Turner said his planes have been targeted by lasers more than 10 times over Houston skies. The lasers cause glare in the cockpit and can temporary blind pilots as they land."I'm annoyed by it as a pilot," said Turner. "You're trying to concentrate and you jump, the whole aircraft jumps with you. It can cause catastrophic effects," said Turner.In 2013, Houston ranked second in the nation for laser strikes, according to the FBI, with 126 reported. Only Portland ranked higher, with 139 strikes reported.In 2012, new Federal Aviation Administration rules made aiming a laser at an aircraft a federal crime, yet the number of reported incidents has increased, to nearly 4,000 nationwide in 2013. That's over 1,000 more than in 2010, according to the FAA, and nearly 11 incidents per day.And incident reports keep coming. In January, an Endeavor Air jet was illuminated by a laser beam while approaching LaGuardia Airport in New York, and three Delta Airlines flights had lasers aimed at them near Los Angeles International. On New Year's Day, a crew member on a Medford, Ore.-bound Allegiant Air flight had to seek medical attention after a laser strike hit him in the eye.Southwest Flight 2405 was one of three flights that reported laser strikes at Hobby on Sunday evening. The strike reports come one year after the FBI began offering a $10,000 reward for tips leading to the arrest of anyone aiming a laser at a plane with criminal intent.FBI analysis shows laser strikes happen most frequently between midnight and 7 a.m., with the largest number of strikes occurring between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. In many cases, the FBI notes, they are being committed by people who do not comprehend the serious consequences.According to lasersafety.com, laser light can travel farther and appear much larger than most people think, which is why it's important not to aim pointers at the sky. Laser light can also cause panic because it is often used in gun sights."You may think this is a joke, but it's serious business," said Turner. "People get hurt. We don't want a catastrophic event to happen because someone's playing a joke."See our 6 picks of the coolest things from the Toy FairFeb 17, 2015
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