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.