FBI, DHS Investigating

Pilots flying around Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB) may want to shield their eyes... as several incidents of planes being "tagged" by laser beams have been reported of late.

Orlando television station WKMG-6 reports the FBI and Department of Homeland Security are investigating reports of laser beams shining into the cockpits of several aircraft over a recent two-night period... including one that was on approach to land at DAB.

The pilot of that aircraft aborted the approach.

"These are sensitive times and pointing anything at a flying aircraft, even from a distraction standpoint is still a safety risk," said Embry Riddle Aeronautical School spokesman Frank Ayers.

Alas, as regular ANN readers know, such incidents seem to occur with infuriating frequency.

"There are three concerns (with laser pointers)," Ayers added. "One is the distraction during a critical phase of flight and the other is any kind of physical damage to the eye. If you look straight into the laser, is the eye going to sustain some type of damage. We don't think that any of that has occurred.

"And the third is if the laser is powerful enough to blind both of the pilots -- even for a short period of time."

Interfering with an aircraft during takeoff and landing -- in any capacity -- is a federal offense.

FMI: www.dhs.gov, www.fbi.gov