2 more Sea-Tac flights targeted with laser
SEA-TAC AIRPORT, Wash. -- Two more planes were targeted with a laser beam Thursday night while heading into Sea-Tac Airport for a landing, according to airport officials.
Airport spokesperson Terri-Ann Betancourt said the pilots of two planes reported seeing a flash of bright red beam while approaching the runway from the north around 9:20 p.m.
The planes - a Northwest flight and a United flight - landed without incident.
Investigators believe the beams originated from a source one to three miles north of the airport.
Anyone who was driving in the area at the time and saw anything unusual is urged to call 911 immediately.
Thursday's incident follows a string of nearly two dozen similar occurrences that have taken place at Sea-Tac Airport this year, including the latest incident in April. 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.
Airport officials said the earlier incidents involved a green laser beam; however, the last three incidents have involved a red beam.
David Campbell with the Air Lines Pilots Association said in an earlier interview that a 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 spokesperson Terri-Ann Betancourt said the pilots of two planes reported seeing a flash of bright red beam while approaching the runway from the north around 9:20 p.m.
The planes - a Northwest flight and a United flight - landed without incident.
Investigators believe the beams originated from a source one to three miles north of the airport.
Anyone who was driving in the area at the time and saw anything unusual is urged to call 911 immediately.
Thursday's incident follows a string of nearly two dozen similar occurrences that have taken place at Sea-Tac Airport this year, including the latest incident in April. 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.
Airport officials said the earlier incidents involved a green laser beam; however, the last three incidents have involved a red beam.
David Campbell with the Air Lines Pilots Association said in an earlier interview that a 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.
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