No satisfactory explanation for this phenomenon has yet been found. "On November 22, the FBI and Department of Homeland Security sent an intelligence bulletin to police agencies to alert them that terrorist groups have shown an interest in using laser beams to try to bring down airliners."
From AP, with thanks to Bruce:
ROMULUS, Mich. -- Two Northwest Airlines pilots said laser lights were shone into their cockpits as they were about to land their planes at Detroit Metropolitan Airport, authorities said...."They were making their approaches, and the pilots reported seeing a green laser-like light shining towards their aircraft,'' Booth said....
Over the past four months, the FAA has received dozens of reports of lasers being pointed at airplanes in several states. Laser illuminations can briefly disorient a pilot during the critical flight stages of ascending and descending.
Six airline pilots told authorities they saw a laser while approaching Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport on Sunday evening. No lasers were aimed at the airplanes' cockpits, the FBI's Dallas office said.
This seems unlikely terrorist related. We more intellectual types have a tendency to forget that the average human is just stupid.
How seriously would anybody have been taken before 9/11 if he/she claimed that terrorists were planning to fly airplanes into NYC skyscapers? Maybe this laser beam thing looks preposterous now but later on who knows?
The two most common elements in society are hydrogen and stupidity!
To totally dismiss this would be a tragic mistake,even if it did turn out to pranks they can kill or cause an accident.
And after a few google searches I could find no incidents or reports where these lasers have wreaked havoc to automobiles,so why? with all the idiot's out there in possesion of one of these would the only incidents be trained at airplanes?
Some things in life are ironic others are'nt!
This one not terrorist related...
"Jan 4, 2:59 PM (ET)
By WAYNE PARRY
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) - A man who initially claimed his daughter aimed a laser at a helicopter was charged after he told federal agents that he pointed the light beam at two aircraft, authorities said Tuesday. "...
more in Drudge Archives under 'airplane laser'
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20050105/D87DUR3O0.html
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20050105/D87DMD880.html
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20050104/D87DFB880.html
and others