Aircraft pilot reports Upper Lambourn laser pen incident

Incident could have caused plane crash, say aviation experts

POLICE are hunting a person who risked a plane crash by shining a green laser light at the pilot overhead in the Upper Lambourn area.

The incident happened around 7pm on Wednesday, October 12.

The crew on the commercial flight, which had taken off from Heathrow Airport, reported the incident to London Air Traffic Control Centre, following which an operator called Thames Valley Police.

Thames Valley Police Area Commander, Supt Robin Rickard said: “Laser pens are not toys and shining them at an aircraft in flight is far from being a childish prank. It could result in the pilot being dazzled, or in the worst case scenario it could cause the aircraft to crash. As such we take reports such as this extremely seriously.

“If anyone has information about a laser being shone in the area of Upper Lambourn around the time of the incident, I would urge them to come forward as soon as possible.

“Also, if anyone witnesses a laser being shone at an aircraft or vehicles on the ground then it is imperative they call police immediately by dialling 999.”

Incidences of laser pens being shone at aircraft are routinely reported to the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) via Mandatory Occurrence Reports completed by pilots or air traffic controllers.

A spokesman for the CAA said: “Shining a laser at an aircraft in flight is a serious risk to the safety of passengers and crew, as well as people living close to major airports like Heathrow.

“During critical phases of flight, such as take-off and landing, pilots need to employ maximum concentration. Being dazzled and temporarily blinded by an intense light could potentially lead to flight crew losing control of the aircraft.”

He added: “Pointing a laser at an aircraft is now a specific criminal offence and the police are becoming very good at catching the perpetrators. We strongly urge anyone who observes a laser being used at night in the vicinity of an airport to contact the police immediately.”