3 weeks ago
Laser beam disorients Malaysia Airlines pilot during Kolkata airport landing
A big airplane from Malaysia was getting ready to land at the airport in Kolkata, India, late at night.
The plane had 159 passengers and seven crew members on board.
Someone on the ground pointed a very bright light, called a laser, at the front of the plane where the pilot sits.
The light was so strong that the pilot could not see clearly for a few moments.
The pilot had to fly the plane in a big circle until his vision came back, and then he tried landing again.
The plane landed safely, and everyone on board was okay.
Shining lasers at airplanes is against the rules because it can hurt pilots' eyes and make flying dangerous.
Police are now trying to find out who used the laser and why.
This has happened before near the Kolkata airport, so airport officials want to stop it.
Malaysia Airlines flight MH-184, flying from Kuala Lumpur to Kolkata with 159 passengers and seven crew members, had a laser beam hit its cockpit about eight nautical miles from the runway around 11:20 pm Saturday.
The bright laser, coming from the Madhyamgram-Barasat direction, momentarily disoriented the pilot and forced the aircraft to circle before making another approach.
The aircraft landed safely at about 11:25 pm and parked at bay 57L, with all passengers and crew reported safe and no injuries or damage.
The airline informed airport authorities, who lodged a complaint with the NSCBI Airport Police Station; police are investigating whether the laser use was deliberate or came from a local event.
Kolkata airport director Vikram Singh said laser use around the airport is prohibited, and officials cited past incidents, including a Durga Puja laser show near Sreebhumi Sporting Club that was stopped after pilot complaints.
- Who
- Malaysia Airlines flight MH-184, its 159 passengers and seven crew members, the pilot, Kolkata airport authorities, NSCBI police, and Kolkata airport director Vikram Singh.
- What
- A laser beam from the ground hit the cockpit about eight nautical miles from the runway, momentarily disorienting the pilot and forcing the aircraft to circle before it landed safely.
- Where
- While approaching Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata, India; the laser came from the Madhyamgram-Barasat direction.
- When
- Late Saturday night; the flight was scheduled to land at about 11:20 pm but touched down at about 11:25 pm, and the incident was reported on Sunday, Aug 9.
- Why
- Unauthorized laser use near the airport temporarily impaired the pilot's vision; police are investigating whether it was deliberate or came from a local event.
Key facts
- Airline
- Malaysia Airlines
- Flight
- MH-184
- Route
- Kuala Lumpur to Kolkata
- Passengers and crew
- 159 passengers and 7 crew members
- Incident
- Laser hit cockpit about 8 nautical miles from runway, around 11:20 pm Saturday
- Laser source direction
- Madhyamgram-Barasat
- Landing
- Safe at about 11:25 pm; parked at bay 57L; no injuries or damage
- Investigation
- Complaint lodged with NSCBI Airport Police Station; probe into deliberate or local-event laser use
Quotes
Vikram Singh
Kolkata airport director
“The use of laser lights around the airport is prohibited, but such incidents occur occasionally and can potentially affect aircraft operations.”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
Pilot of Malaysia Airlines flight disoriented by laser beam, makes safe landing in Kolkata
Malaysia Airlines Flight Disrupted During Kolkata Landing After Laser Beam Hits Cockpit, Probe Ordered
Laser beam disrupts Malaysia Airlines flight landing at Kolkata airport
Pilot disoriented by laser beam, Kolkata-bound flight circles mid-air before landing
Malaysia Airlines pilot ‘distracted by laser beam,’ left disoriented before landing at Kolkata airport
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