Dangerous Laser Intrusion on Kolkata-Bound Flight Prompts Urgent Action from Airport Authorities

A pilot making his descent into Kolkata reported a potentially dangerous encounter with laser lights infiltrating the cockpit.

Kolkata airport officials swiftly escalated the matter to local law enforcement, prompting immediate action to address the situation.

The alarming incident unfolded at approximately 8:05 pm on November 10 when the captain of a SpiceJet flight inbound from Bagdogra communicated with the air traffic control tower at Kolkata airport. The pilot reported distracting laser lights along the aircraft’s approach path, a critical phase of the landing process.

Responding promptly, airport authorities relayed the information to both the Bidhannagar Commissionerate and the Barasat police district. The police, in turn, directed their attention to Kali Puja pandals situated in the flight path, urging them to either shut down or reduce the intensity of the laser lights to ensure the safety of incoming flights.

Sources revealed that immediate measures were taken to extinguish the laser lights, averting a potential disaster. An airport official stated, “A laser beam disturbance was reported in the flight path on Friday evening. We immediately reported the matter to cops for quick action. On Sunday, however, there were no fresh complaints from pilots.”

Highlighting the severity of the situation, experts emphasized that a laser light can temporarily blind a pilot, rendering them incapacitated until their vision is restored. This poses a significant risk during the landing procedure when an aircraft descends at a rate of 1,500-2,000 feet per minute.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the civil aviation regulator, mandates an 18.5km-radius exclusion zone for laser lights around airports. This precautionary measure aims to prevent pilots from being blinded by laser beams during critical phases of landing, underscoring the importance of maintaining a safe airspace around airports.

A pilot making his descent into Kolkata reported a potentially dangerous encounter with laser lights infiltrating the cockpit.

Kolkata airport officials swiftly escalated the matter to local law enforcement, prompting immediate action to address the situation.

The alarming incident unfolded at approximately 8:05 pm on November 10 when the captain of a SpiceJet flight inbound from Bagdogra communicated with the air traffic control tower at Kolkata airport. The pilot reported distracting laser lights along the aircraft’s approach path, a critical phase of the landing process.

Responding promptly, airport authorities relayed the information to both the Bidhannagar Commissionerate and the Barasat police district. The police, in turn, directed their attention to Kali Puja pandals situated in the flight path, urging them to either shut down or reduce the intensity of the laser lights to ensure the safety of incoming flights.

Sources revealed that immediate measures were taken to extinguish the laser lights, averting a potential disaster. An airport official stated, “A laser beam disturbance was reported in the flight path on Friday evening. We immediately reported the matter to cops for quick action. On Sunday, however, there were no fresh complaints from pilots.”

Highlighting the severity of the situation, experts emphasized that a laser light can temporarily blind a pilot, rendering them incapacitated until their vision is restored. This poses a significant risk during the landing procedure when an aircraft descends at a rate of 1,500-2,000 feet per minute.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the civil aviation regulator, mandates an 18.5km-radius exclusion zone for laser lights around airports. This precautionary measure aims to prevent pilots from being blinded by laser beams during critical phases of landing, underscoring the importance of maintaining a safe airspace around airports.