Someone is in trouble near Dallas: Police and the FAA are investigating after three planes were reportedly hit by a laser beam while flying into Dallas Love Field between 7:30pm and 7:45pm on Wednesday. “And, instead, we are being blinded by this huge green light that’s being shown in our cockpits”, the pilot said. Charges are pending as the investigation continues.
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A Dallas police helicopter also searched the area around 7:30 p.m., but found nothing. Pilots from Southwest Airlines, Virgin America and a private business jet were hit.
The aircraft were all flying at altitudes between three and four thousand feet.
The pilots reported to the FAA that the laser beams appeared to come from an area about 11 miles southeast of Dallas.
The FAA is working with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to pursue civil and criminal penalties against individuals who purposely aim a laser at an aircraft.
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An Federal Bureau of Investigation campaign past year targeted the illegal use of laser pointers to distract airplanes. Six days later, five other crews reported similar incidents.
