Authorities: Green laser illuminates plane over Long Island heading for RI

February 3, 2016 8:31 am

By Melissa Randall

mrandall@abc6.com

The search is on for the person who pointed a laser at a place bound for TF Green. Nothing happened, but the potential for problems certainly was there.

Laser strikes causing big problems in the ski for pilots like Graeme Smith.

"It burns your eyes. It’s actually painful," says Smith. " It’s like being blinded by the most intense light you’ve ever seen in your life. You lose your night vision for at least 20 minutes."

It happened to a plane heading to Providence from New Jersey earlier this week. The pilot of United Express Flight 4044 reporting being hit with a green laser while flying over Long Island around 11:30 Monday night.

"I’m not surprised because it’s happening so often right now," adds Smith.

The number of laser incidents is on the rise. They’re averaging about one a week here in Rhode Island–including two just Tuesday night.

Smith, a private pilot out of Middletown, has experienced the effects first-hand. He was just south of Chicago at the time when he was targeted.

"I happened to see the light coming in along the wing and was able to shut my eyes. I had my eyes shut for at least 30 seconds while the whole cockpit was bathed in a really green bright intense light," he says.

A small laser can easily reach up to 18 thousand feet. Pointing one at an aircraft is a federal offense. The problem is catching the person who’s doing it.

"Because from the air, trying to identify the pinpoint where the light came from is impossible. You’re trying to deal with the aircraft. That’s far more important. Fly the plane and stay safe. The reporting comes long after the fact," says Smith.

Authorities in New York when to the area reported by United’s crew, but couldn’t find anyone.

"I think it’s a case of education. There hasn’t been an accident yet, but its just an accident waiting to happen. At some point, some pilot is going to lose control of their aircraft because they cant see what they are doing at night," Smith says.

Interfering with a flight crew comes with an $11 thousand fine, according to the FAA.