Measures to Safeguard Pilots and Passengers
Secretary of Transportation Norman
Mineta Wednesday announced new measures designed to alert and
better prepare pilots to handle incidents of lasers being shined at
their aircraft and to speed notification about such crimes to law
enforcement investigators. The measures are designed to respond to
a recent increase in the number of reported laser incidents.
The announcement came on the heels of reports that more than a
dozen air crews in the US have been "lit up" by lasers since
Christmas.
"Shining these lasers at an airplane is not a harmless prank. It
is stupid and dangerous," said Mineta. "You are putting other
people at risk, and law enforcement authorities are going to seek
you out, and if they catch you, they are going to prosecute
you."
The measures, which are outlined in an Advisory Circular from
the Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), recommends that pilots immediately report any
unauthorized laser events to air traffic controllers. As soon as
personnel with the FAA get these reports, they will notify
appropriate law enforcement and security agencies through the
Domestic Events Network. The changes will provide police with more
timely and detailed information to help them identify and prosecute
those who are shining lasers at planes.
The new measures also include requirements that air traffic
controllers immediately notify pilots about the laser events. If
pilots have a laser pointed at them, the circular strongly advises
pilots and air crew to avoid direct eye contact given the health
and safety risks posed by some types of lasers.
The Department also will be working with the Food and Drug
Administration, the Consumer Product Safety Commission and others
to improve product labeling and better educate the public.
"We are treating lasers in the cockpit as a serious aviation
safety matter," the Secretary said. "We must act now before
someone’s reckless actions lead to a terrible and tragic
incident."
Mineta announced the new measures today because of a recent
spike in the number of incidents of laser being shined at
airplanes. Since December 23, there have been 31 reported lasers
incidents involving aircraft, seven in the past weekend alone.
Since 1990 there have been over 400 similar incidents.
The Secretary noted that there are no indications that the
people shining lasers at planes are anything other than careless
individuals who are using commercially available lasers in a manner
that is reckless and illegal. "There is no specific or credible
intelligence that would indicate that these laser incidents are
connected to terrorists."
FAA research has shown that laser illuminations can temporarily
disorient or disable a pilot during critical stages of flight such
as landing or take-off, and in some cases, may cause permanent
damage. However, given the relatively small number of incidents,
there is no need to require new equipment for aircraft and aircrew
at this time, said Mineta.
DOT announced the new measures Wednesday during a demonstration
of the dangers posed to pilots from shining lasers into cockpits.
The demonstration was conducted at the Mike Monroney Aeronautical
Center in Oklahoma City, OK, where the FAA does research on a range
of aviation-related health and safety issues. The FAA will continue
to conduct research to determine if there are technological
solutions for enhancing air crew safety during laser events, the
Secretary added.