East Anglian Air Ambulance warns of dangers of shining lasers at aircraft
The police are investigating after a laser was pointed at a helicopter attending an emergency in Norfolk in December
The East Anglian Air Ambulance is warning of the dangers of shining lasers at their aircraft.
The charity says directing lights at pilots can make flying unsafe and cause permanent eye damage.
It's after one of its crews captured footage of a laser being pointed at their helicopter as they attended an emergency near Attleborough, in Norfolk, in December.
There have been seven reported incidents around Norwich since 2021, including the aforementioned incident that was caught on camera on 27th December 2023.
All seven occurred in the Attleborough area.
“Effects could include permanent damage to the eye”
Captain Seb Powderham is from Babcock International Group, EAAA’s aviation partner:
“Lasers directed at aircraft can significantly impact flight operations.
“Most importantly, if a laser were to incapacitate the pilot’s ability to operate due to impaired vision, flight safety would be compromised.
“Short-term effects include temporary flash blindness and potential distraction at a critical stage of flight. Long-term effects could include permanent damage to the eye.
“Abandon the mission altogether”
“Pilots may be required to manoeuvre the aircraft to protect the crew from the source of the laser, adjust cockpit lighting to minimise the damaging effects… update planned landing options or abandon the mission altogether.”
The charity says this could mean putting lives at risk as pilots and clinicians are delayed in providing urgent critical care to those experiencing life-threatening medical emergencies.
Norfolk Police is appealing for information from the local community about the incident on the 27th December.
PC Dion Phillips says:
“All the reported incidents happen overnight, often in the early hours of the morning.
“We’ve looked into every incident and haven’t been able to identify the person responsible which is why we’re appealing to the local community."