4 more Sea-Tac flights targeted with laser
SEA-TAC AIRPORT -- Four planes were targeted with a laser beam Friday night while heading into Sea-Tac Airport for a landing, according to airport officials.
Airport spokesman Perry Cooper said the pilots of the planes reported seeing a flash of bright red beam while preparing to land. All four were hit within a 15-minute period, beginning at 8:30 p.m.
The planes, all of which were headed for the third runway, landed without incident.
Investigators believe the beams originated from a place two to three miles north of the airport. They've narrowed their search to an area north of Glen Acres Golf Course and east of State Route 509.
Anyone who was driving in the area at the time and saw anything unusual is urged to contact Port of Seattle Police immediately at 206-433-5400.
Friday's incident follows a string of nearly two dozen similar occurrences that have taken place at Sea-Tac Airport this year. Six of them took place in March, five on the same night. About a dozen planes were targeted in February.
Earlier this year, investigators arrested a Burien man in connection with several of the incidents. The man has since been released, and charges were never filed. Detectives said the investigation is ongoing.
Cooper said the earlier incidents involved a green laser beam; however, the last two incidents have involved a red beam.
David Campbell with the Air Lines Pilots Association said in an earlier interview that bright laser light isn't likely to jeopardize the safety of passengers, but can be a huge distraction to the pilots.
"We're able to handle this threat, but it's something that we'd rather not (handle)," he said. "The danger is, as you look to find where you are in relation to the airport, the laser beam hits you right directly in the eye. That's the real danger."
It is a federal offense to shine a laser at a flying airplane.
Airport spokesman Perry Cooper said the pilots of the planes reported seeing a flash of bright red beam while preparing to land. All four were hit within a 15-minute period, beginning at 8:30 p.m.
The planes, all of which were headed for the third runway, landed without incident.
Investigators believe the beams originated from a place two to three miles north of the airport. They've narrowed their search to an area north of Glen Acres Golf Course and east of State Route 509.
Anyone who was driving in the area at the time and saw anything unusual is urged to contact Port of Seattle Police immediately at 206-433-5400.
Friday's incident follows a string of nearly two dozen similar occurrences that have taken place at Sea-Tac Airport this year. Six of them took place in March, five on the same night. About a dozen planes were targeted in February.
Earlier this year, investigators arrested a Burien man in connection with several of the incidents. The man has since been released, and charges were never filed. Detectives said the investigation is ongoing.
Cooper said the earlier incidents involved a green laser beam; however, the last two incidents have involved a red beam.
David Campbell with the Air Lines Pilots Association said in an earlier interview that bright laser light isn't likely to jeopardize the safety of passengers, but can be a huge distraction to the pilots.
"We're able to handle this threat, but it's something that we'd rather not (handle)," he said. "The danger is, as you look to find where you are in relation to the airport, the laser beam hits you right directly in the eye. That's the real danger."
It is a federal offense to shine a laser at a flying airplane.