Spotlight blinds Qantas pilots
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Spotlight blinds Qantas pilots
Tues "Northern Territory News"
Spotlight blinds Qantas pilots
by GREG McLEAN
January 18, 2005
The lives of more than 100 passengers and crew aboard a Qantas flight were put in danger when a high-powered spotlight was shone in the pilots' eyes as the plane came in to land at Darwin.
The deadly prank happened at Darwin International Airport around 8.30pm last Friday as Qantas flight 800 from Cairns was about to touch down.
Air traffic controllers received a report from the pilot of the 737 carrying 98 passengers that a high-powered spotlight was beamed into the cockpit as the plane made its final approach, blinding the flight crew.
The spotlight came from the direction of Amy Johnson Avenue in Marrara but the culprits had escaped by the time police arrived.
Acting Superintendent of Darwin Region Danny Bacon said trying to bring an aircraft into danger carries a penalty of up to 14 years' jail.
``It's inherently dangerous to shine bright lights at an aircraft as it is coming in to land and such actions put everyone on board in serious danger,'' he said.
``Police are greatly concerned this has occurred and are now targeting that area with regular patrols specific to aircraft movements.
``People may think it's a practical joke to spotlight planes but it is no laughing matter to commit an offence with such serious consequences as an aircraft crash.''
Qantas captain Richard Woodward, the Australian and International Pilots Association safety director, said the practice of spotlighting planes was becoming increasingly common throughout the world.
``It can certainly startle the pilot and cause trouble landing,'' he said.
``In the long-term the use of laser-type devices can cause permanent damage to a pilot's eyesight.
``It's like walking out of the dark into a very bright light and it's very silly and quite dangerous to everybody on board the aircraft.''
In the US, authorities are investigating two incidents in which laser beams were aimed at aircraft flying over northern New Jersey recently.
Anyone with information regarding the spotlighting of planes is asked to phone police on 131 444.
Northern Territory News
============================================
Spotlight blinds Qantas pilots
by GREG McLEAN
January 18, 2005
The lives of more than 100 passengers and crew aboard a Qantas flight were put in danger when a high-powered spotlight was shone in the pilots' eyes as the plane came in to land at Darwin.
The deadly prank happened at Darwin International Airport around 8.30pm last Friday as Qantas flight 800 from Cairns was about to touch down.
Air traffic controllers received a report from the pilot of the 737 carrying 98 passengers that a high-powered spotlight was beamed into the cockpit as the plane made its final approach, blinding the flight crew.
The spotlight came from the direction of Amy Johnson Avenue in Marrara but the culprits had escaped by the time police arrived.
Acting Superintendent of Darwin Region Danny Bacon said trying to bring an aircraft into danger carries a penalty of up to 14 years' jail.
``It's inherently dangerous to shine bright lights at an aircraft as it is coming in to land and such actions put everyone on board in serious danger,'' he said.
``Police are greatly concerned this has occurred and are now targeting that area with regular patrols specific to aircraft movements.
``People may think it's a practical joke to spotlight planes but it is no laughing matter to commit an offence with such serious consequences as an aircraft crash.''
Qantas captain Richard Woodward, the Australian and International Pilots Association safety director, said the practice of spotlighting planes was becoming increasingly common throughout the world.
``It can certainly startle the pilot and cause trouble landing,'' he said.
``In the long-term the use of laser-type devices can cause permanent damage to a pilot's eyesight.
``It's like walking out of the dark into a very bright light and it's very silly and quite dangerous to everybody on board the aircraft.''
In the US, authorities are investigating two incidents in which laser beams were aimed at aircraft flying over northern New Jersey recently.
Anyone with information regarding the spotlighting of planes is asked to phone police on 131 444.
Northern Territory News
============================================
