Archive · 11 Aug 2026
Air India Pilot Complains to ATC About Disco Light
A big passenger airplane was flying to an airport in Hyderabad, India.
The pilot saw a very bright, flashing light on the ground, like the lights at a disco party.
The light was pointed straight at the plane in the sky.
The pilot told Air Traffic Control, the people who help planes land safely, about what they saw.
Bright lights can be a big problem for pilots.
A strong light can shine into the cockpit, which is where the pilot sits.
When that happens, it can temporarily blind the pilot's eyes.
Pilots need to see clearly, especially when a plane is landing or taking off.
The pilot noticed this disco light when the plane was still about 100 nautical miles away from the airport and reported it right away.
An Air India pilot complained to Air Traffic Control after noticing a bright disco light while landing at Shamshabad Airport.
The flight involved was arriving from Delhi.
The pilot noticed the light beam directed at the aircraft when it was around 100 nautical miles from the airport.
The light beam was directed towards the aircraft during the landing approach.
Strong light beams can temporarily impair a pilot's vision and affect safe operation, particularly during take-off and landing.
- Who
- An unnamed Air India pilot flying a flight arriving from Delhi
- What
- Complained to Air Traffic Control about a bright disco light beam directed at the aircraft during landing
- When
- The exact date and time were not specified in the report
- Where
- Shamshabad Airport, Hyderabad
- Why
- Because a strong beam of light in the cockpit can temporarily impair a pilot's vision and affect their ability to operate the aircraft safely
- Airline
- Air India
- Airport
- Shamshabad Airport, Hyderabad
- Flight origin
- Delhi
- Distance when light was noticed
- About 100 nautical miles from the airport
- Complaint filed with
- Air Traffic Control (ATC)
- Reported risk
- Temporary vision impairment for pilots during take-off and landing