Green lasers shined towards a/c at Seattle

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02-22-2009, 10:19 PM

tortue

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Green lasers shined towards a/c at Seattle

Local news reporting someone shining green lasers at approaching a/c into KSEA this evening. Something about 14 pilots reported seeing it.

02-23-2009, 04:37 AM

JungleBus

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Where at? I know there's been one repeat offender that never got caught on the northeast side of Lake Washington...he got me once in 2006 while I was being vectored for 16C off the GLASR arrival. Tracked the airplane for around 10 seconds, directly shined the Captain & filled the cockpit with light.

Last edited by USMCFLYR; 02-23-2009 at 06:12 AM. Reason: Language

02-23-2009, 06:38 AM

flyingtigermco

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Are all lasers capable of doing damage to the retina? Or are there types that don't?

02-23-2009, 06:58 AM

There is line

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We were briefly illuminated twice last night. It was while on final for 16L, about 4.9 DME. The laser shined from maybe 1/4 mile L of course. It was very brief and caused no problem except a brief distraction.

02-23-2009, 07:01 AM

USMCFLYR

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Quote:

Originally Posted by flyingtigermco

Are all lasers capable of doing damage to the retina? Or are there types that don't?

Depends on the class of laser. Some are dangerous - some are less dangerous. In the end - you don't have to freak out if someone sweeps a pen light across the room but on the other hand you should be looking directly into it and looking at the pretty light either

USMCFLYR

02-23-2009, 07:17 AM

AHDRVR

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This is serious stuff guys. A good buddy who is a C-5 driver was hit in the pattern in the NE. All of the cockpit crew had to go to medical and actually had degraded vision for a few days. Luckily, everyone recovered w/o any permanent damage.

02-23-2009, 11:25 AM

Flyboyrw

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They will find who it is, since it seems they always do.
Lock them up.
KCBS - Campbell Man Arrested for Laser Attacks on Aircraft
Police: Man Shines Laser at CHP Helicopter | NBC Bay Area

02-23-2009, 02:17 PM

KC10 FATboy

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I was part of a crew on an US Air Force mission that was lasered while descending for our approach. Although the encounter was brief, it definitely got our attention. At first, I thought we had been hit by lightning because it was so blinding and bright. Thankfully, nobody was hurt.

02-23-2009, 02:29 PM

USMCFLYR

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Flyboyrw

They will find who it is, since it seems they always do.
Lock them up.
KCBS - Campbell Man Arrested for Laser Attacks on Aircraft
Police: Man Shines Laser at CHP Helicopter | NBC Bay Area

It wasn't with lasers, but I (and my FCLP mates) were being spotlighted one night going around the pattern at Fentriss out lying field near Virginia Beach, VA one night. Since I was the senior guy going around the pattern that night (CAT V for those that care) I was tasked with trying to guide the cops on the ground to the truck doing the spotting everytime I came off the 180. Found out 2 days later that they caught the guys. They had been spotlighting us with a big light (like the side light on a cop car) and shooting at us with .22 rifles and shotguns.

USMCFLYR