Wellington Police Investigate Laser Strikes Against Small Aircraft
Wellington
Police are investigating after a two-seater aircraft was
targeted by two laser strikes earlier this week. The
incident was reported to police at 10.15pm on Tuesday 25
February. The aircraft, with a pilot and instructor on
board, was doing circuits within Wellington
Airport-controlled airspace when it was struck twice within
five minutes by a green laser. The airport control
tower was able to advise police that the laser was coming
from a location in the Tiotio Road/Pinelands Avenue/Fettes
Crescent area. Police units deployed to that area but
were unable to locate the person/s responsible. "Laser
strikes against aircraft can have incredibly serious - and
potentially fatal - consequences," says Inspector Wade
Jennings, Prevention Manager. "Deliberately shining a
laser at any aircraft can temporarily blind the pilot and
disorient them, potentially leading to them losing control
of the aircraft." "Sadly, this was the second night in
a row that a small aircraft had been targeted by laser
strikes in the area of Wellington Airport, with another
incident occurring on Monday 24 February at around
10.45pm." "Fortunately, in both instances the aircraft
were able to land safely following the laser strikes, but
this could have turned out very differently." Police
would like to hear from anyone who could assist our
enquiries into these laser strikes. If you can help, please
call 105. The incidents have also been referred to the
Civil Aviation
Authority.