Coast Guard Helicopter Makes Emergency Landing After Laser Pointed At Windshield
BOSTON (CBS) — A hand-held laser pointer shined at a Coast Guard helicopter forced an emergency landing at Air Station Cape Cod last week, the Coast Guard said on Friday.
A Coast Guard pilot was conducting flight operations on a MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter last Friday, when he saw a green laser being shined at the windshield and into the cabin.
According to the Coast Guard, the laser appeared to be coming from an area in a residential neighborhood.
No one was injured.
"These types of incidents are extremely dangerous to the safety of the aircrew," said Lt. Daniel Cloonan, a pilot at Air Station Cape Cod said in a statement. "This can result in serious injury or death to the aircrews and the prevention of rescue to those in distress."
Shining a laser at an aircraft is a federal offense and can result in a prison terms up to five years, fines of up to $11,000, and five years probation.
