Wed, Mar 25, 2009
Police Already Have One Suspect
Yet another laser beam was recently pointed towards the cockpit
of an airplane flying near Seattle-Tacoma International Airport...
and what's worse, is the latest incident may involve a repeat
offender.
The Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports a laser beam was flashed
at an Alaska Airlines flight approaching the airport Tuesday night.
The plane landed safely at just after 8 pm, and the crew told
authorities the light came from an area about two miles northwest
of the airport.
That's roughly the same area where other planes have been
targeted by lasers in recent months, according to Port of Seattle
police. Last month, a 24-year-old Burien resident was arrested on
suspicion of targeting 13 airliners with a handheld laser pointer
the night of February 22... but that man was released two weeks
ago, when charges weren't filed.
Police said that suspect -- who told police he "might have"
inadvertantly shone the green laser beam at the planes while
attending a party in the area -- is a 'person of interest' in this
latest case. However, that man was still in jail while more laser
incidents were reported near Sea-Tac at the end of February and
through the first four days of March; he wasn't released until the
11th.
"Port of Seattle police are conducting the investigation, but
they will work with the TSA and FBI," said airport spokeswoman
Terri-Ann Betancourt.
Laser beams can cause temporary blindness, a potentially deadly
situation as a plane is close to the ground while approach to land.
People indicted for shining lasers at overflying aircraft can face
federal charges under the US Patriot Act.
More News
Chaff Thin, narrow metallic reflectors of various lengths and frequency responses, used to reflect radar energy. These reflectors, when dropped from aircraft and allowed to drift d>[...]
“Today, XB-1 took flight in the same hallowed airspace where the Bell X-1 first broke the sound barrier in 1947. I’ve been looking forward to this flight since founding>[...]
“Teaming up with the EAA and Berlin Express for this event in Cincinnati will give warbird fans a unique opportunity to see the aircraft that helped defend freedom and gave t>[...]
Hazardous Weather Information Summary of significant meteorological information (SIGMET/WS), convective significant meteorological information (convective SIGMET/WST), urgent pilot>[...]
Aero Linx: The Nebraska Aeronautics Commission The Nebraska Aeronautics Commission was created by the 1935 Legislature to oversee the development of aviation in the state. The Comm>[...]