New Jersey Man Indicted In Laser Incident | Aero-News Network
Aero-News Network
RSS icon RSS feed
podcast icon MP3 podcast
Subscribe Aero-News e-mail Newsletter Subscribe

Airborne Unlimited -- Most Recent Daily Episodes

Episode Date

Airborne-Monday

Airborne-Tuesday

 Airborne-Wednesday Airborne-Thursday

Airborne-Friday

Airborne On YouTube

Airborne-Unlimited-05.13.24

Airborne-NextGen-05.14.24

 Airborne-Unlimited-05.15.24 Airborne-AffordableFlyers-05.16.24

Airborne-Unlimited-05.17.24

Wed, Mar 23, 2005

New Jersey Man Indicted In Laser Incident

Says He Was Just Stargazing

A New Jersey man accused of pointing a laser beam into the cockpits of passing planes was indicted in federal court Wednesday under an anti-terrorism law.

David Banach is also accused of lying to FBI investigators who questioned him about the incident. The cabin and windshield of a small commercial jet were bathed in blinding green light at least three times during the incident on December 29th, according to the indictment.

"We take the alleged actions of Mr. Banach very seriously, and we will not condone lying to federal agents," US Attorney Christopher J. Christie said in a prepared statement released to reporters.

"I think it’s an absolute abuse of prosecutorial discretion to charge my client under the Patriot Act for non-purposeful conduct," Banach's lawyer, Gina Mendola-Longarzo, told local journalists.

The 38-year old defendant, who lives in Parsippany, NJ, faces up to 20 years in prison and fines of up to $250,000. He's officially charged with interference with pilots of an aircraft "with reckless disregard for the safety human life," according to the indictment.

Just two weeks after the incident, the Department of Transportation tightened up measures aimed at preventing people from shining lasers at aircraft.

FMI: www.dot.gov

Advertisement

More News

ANN's Daily Aero-Term (05.16.24): Instrument Runway

Instrument Runway A runway equipped with electronic and visual navigation aids for which a precision or nonprecision approach procedure having straight-in landing minimums has been>[...]

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (05.16.24)

Aero Linx: Alaska Airmen's Association The Alaska Airmen's Association includes over 2,000 members—we are one of the largest General Aviation communities in the country. We s>[...]

Airborne 05.15.24: Ghost Sq MidAir, B-2 Junked, Dream Chaser Readies

Also: Flt School Security, G600 Steep-Approach, Honduran Aid, PW545D Cert Two aircraft performing at the Fort Lauderdale Air Show clipped wings during a routine last Sunday, spooki>[...]

Airborne 05.10.24: Icon Auction, Drunk MedEvac Pilot, Bell ALFA

Also: SkyReach Parts Support, Piper Service Ctr, Airliner Near-Miss, Airshow London The Judge overseeing Icon's convoluted Chapter 11 process has approved $9 million in Chapter 11 >[...]

Airborne Affordable Flyers 05.16.24: PRA Runway, Wag-Aero Sold, Young Eagles

Also: Paramotor Champ's, Electric Ultralight, ICON BK Update, Burt Rutan at Oshkosh! The Popular Rotorcraft Association is reaching out for help in rebuilding their private runway >[...]

blog comments powered by Disqus



Change Display

Headlines Only | Headlines w/ Teasers | View Everything

Advertisement

Top Videos

Airborne 05.17.24: Hummingbird 'Best', Cavorite Flies, Starliner Update

Airborne Affordable Flyers 05.16.24: PRA Runway, Wag-Aero Sold, Young Eagles

Airborne 05.15.24: Ghost Sq MidAir, B-2 Junked, Dream Chaser Readies

See All

Advertisement

Podcasts

Advertisement

© 2007 - 2024 Web Development & Design by Pauli Systems, LC