Feds Investigating After JetBlue Pilot Allegedly Injured By Laser Beam Over L.I.
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Aviation Administration are searching for the suspect who allegedly pointed a laser beam at a JetBlue flight over Long Island, injuring the pilot.
The green laser light shone through the windshield of JetBlue Flight 657 as it was flying over Deer Park on Sunday evening, CBS 2 reported.
LISTEN: Exchange Between JetBlue 657 And Air Traffic Control (Audio From LiveATC.net)
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"We just got lasered, two green flashes into the cockpit," the pilot can be heard telling air traffic control in audio posted on LiveATC.net. "It caught the first officer's eye."
The plane had taken off from Syracuse and landed at John F. Kennedy International Airport about 10 minutes later.
The pilot suffered a minor eye injury.
Incidents of lasering aircrafts has increased "dramatically" across the country, according to Suffolk County Police Inspector Stewart Cameron.
"If you shine a laser light in the cockpit of an aircraft you can temporarily blind the pilot, which is obviously is an issue with controlling the aircraft," Cameron said.
WCBS 880's Sophia Hall reports
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Green lasers are powerful and potentially dangerous but can be purchased on the Internet for a low price. They are often advertised to help people see stars and planets at night.
Pointing a laser at an aircraft became a federal crime last year.
