FBI Investigates Lasers Aimed At Aircraft
An investigation is underway into a couple of scares in the air over Metro Detroit. Two separate incidents recently forced pilots assigned to U.S. Customs and Border Protection Service to take evasive maneuvers, after being targeted by lasers from someone on the ground.
In each incident the laser was aimed at the cockpit -- first, at an AS350 Eurocopter, and then a C-12 King Air. Both incdidents took place in the last month. The most recent, while pilots where on final approach to Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Harrison Township.
No pilots or crew members were injured in either case, and the laser sightings have been turned over to the FBI.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection say that owning a hand-held laser isn't illegal, but shining it into a cockpit is a federal crime. If convicted, a person faces up to 20 years in prison and a $200 fine.
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