Jump to content

Recommended Posts

Posted

The Age, Melb

 

Sean Nicholls

 

August 9, 2007 - 10:12AM

 

The pilot of a Qantas Boeing 767 from Sydney carrying 185 passengers to Darwin was targeted by a powerful laser beam, prompting an investigation by federal police and aviation authorities.

 

The incident, just before midnight on August 3, resulted in the pilot having to fly the next day's return leg from Darwin to Sydney as a passenger.

 

A Qantas spokesman, Lloyd Quartermain, said last night that the pilot, who has not been named, had been referred to Qantas's doctor for assessment. Mr Quartermain declined to comment on whether the pilot was injured. He said the decision to replace him as pilot for the return flight was "a precautionary measure".

 

"We had a report of a laser beam affecting a pilot operating QF486 Sydney to Darwin on August 3," Mr Quartermain told the Herald.

 

"He landed the aircraft safely and the incident has been reported to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau and federal police, as is usual practice."

 

Mr Quartermain said federal police were making inquiries, but he refused to comment on a suggestion that the laser was emitted from military equipment.

 

He said the crew acted immediately when they saw the laser targeting the aircraft.

 

"As soon as the crew saw the light they alerted the local tower, who in turn alerted the local authorities," he said.

 

It was revealed this week that motorists in nine cars were accidentally put in the sights of a laser guidance system being tested by F/A-18 fighter jets on the NSW North Coast on May 28.

 

An investigation concluded that the chances of injury were remote, with the risk of eye exposure considered low.

 

The general manager of the Australian and International Pilots Association, Peter Somerville, was unaware of the Qantas incident but said there had been "a spate of these incidents over the past few months".

 

 

  • 1 month later...
Guest Fred Bear
Posted

Just heard Qantas QF21 departing Sydney on departures 129.7 complaining that a green laser hit the flightdeck at around 2210 tonight around the Parramatta area. These idiots have to be stopped. Aircraft involved was VH-QPF an A330 to Tokyo. These idiots need to be stopped.

 

 

Posted

Agreed..........HOW????

 

Apart from a return laser guided misille..........might be a few years before we get them!

 

J

 

 

Posted

CASA have announced it as a jailable penalty to zap ANY plane with a laser.... but agreed, the big question is how to enforce it.:;)2:

 

Seems the autolaunch missile seems to be the best option...

 

Ben

 

 

Guest Fred Bear
Posted

I think ATC notified the police airwing last night but these people are not stupid enough to hang around while a police chopper approaches overhead with a massive spotlight on. Only chance would be if someone was 'caught in the act' on the ground. Even then our cops are usually too busy doing other things and by the time they get there the offender is well and truly gone 068_angry.gif.cc43c1d4bb0cee77bfbafb87fd434239.gif

 

 

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...