On 29 Sep 2004 07:58:03 -0700, (Mike) wrote in
: :

Laser injures Delta pilot's eye
A pilot flying a Delta Air Lines jet was injured by a laser that
illuminated the cockpit of the aircraft as it approached Salt Lake
City International Airport last week, U.S. officials said.
at http://www.washtimes.com/national/20...1356-3924r.htm


Welcome to the 21st century where technology enables the irrational to
realize their worst nightmares.

...

John Mazor, a spokesman for the Air Line Pilots Association, said
commercial pilots have been exposed to laser illumination.
"The Air Line Pilots Association has received reports in the
past of incidents where lasers penetrated cockpits and, in at
least one case, caused injury," Mr. Mazor said.
Several years ago, a pilot flying into a Western airport was
hit by a light from a laser light show. The causes of the other
incidents are not known, he said.
Asked whether a laser aimed at pilots could cause a plane to
crash, Mr. Mazor said: "I think that's highly improbable. In every
case in the past, the flights landed safely."
Military personnel also have suffered eye damage from laser
illumination.
In one case, Naval Lt. Cmdr. Jack Daly and Canadian helicopter
pilot Capt. Pat Barnes suffered eye injuries hours after an aerial
surveillance mission to photograph a Russian merchant ship that
had been shadowing the ballistic-missile submarine USS Ohio in
Washington state's Strait of Juan de Fuca.
The Navy recently turned down an appeal from the Defense
Department inspector general to award Cmdr. Daly a Purple Heart
for the incident. Cmdr. Daly, who retired from the service last
year, continues to suffer eye pain and deteriorating vision.
During congressional testimony in 1999, he warned of laser
threats to pilots.
"Numerous documented cases regarding the use of lasers against
aircraft, civilians and military personnel exist, as well as does
an all-too-lengthy list of the injuries that have resulted from
the accidental and intentional misuse of these devices," Cmdr.
Daly told a House Armed Services subcommittee.
He noted that incidents of lasers being directed at commercial
airliners during takeoff and landings have raised fears that "this
in fact may be a new form of terrorism."
"Lasers are easily obtainable and can be self-manufactured
weapons in the terrorist arsenal, which essentially can effect a
soft-kill solution and leave virtually no detectable evidence," he
said.