An Air India Express flight coming from Pune carrying 178 passengers was hit by a laser beam while attempting to land at Chennai Airport in the wee hours of Tuesday, June 10. This is the third such incident in the past two weeks.
The flight, which started its descent around 1.10 am, was hovering mid-air for 10 minutes before landing safely around 1.20 am.
On Monday, May 26, an Emirates flight from Dubai carrying 326 passengers had a laser beam disrupt its descent. The same incident was repeated on Thursday, June 5, and involved another Emirates plane flying in from Dubai carrying 304 passengers. In all the instances, the Air Traffic Control (ATC) was alerted, and the pilots were able to land the plane without any mishaps.
A beam of light flashing into a plane during its descent causes temporary disorientation to the pilots and also disrupts clear visibility, making the landing difficult. Rules 65 and 66 of the Aircraft Rules, 1937 prohibit the use of aeronautical ground lights or other beacons with the potential of interfering with airplanes.
The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) and the Chennai airport police were alerted to all the incidents. The beam of light only lasted a few minutes in each incident, and the source has not been traced as of now. The S2 Airport police have not registered a case so far.
The Greater Chennai Police have issued an advisory asking the public to refrain from shining laser beams at landing planes, releasing hot air balloons or light-emitting objects around the airspace, as it threatens the safety of the plane and passengers.
The beam is reportedly said to have originated around Guindy area.