Laser distracts pilots near IGIA

Two pilots, one from Air Asia and another from Jet Airways, have complained that they got distracted by a laser beam while landing their planes at the Indira Gandhi International airport on Saturday.

The pilots of Jet Airways flight 9W 830 (Chennai to Delhi) and Air Asia flight I-5/177 (Bengaluru to Delhi) said they were distracted while they were preparing to land on runway 29, from the direction of National Highway 8, at the IGI airport.

The pilot of Air Asia Airways flight (I-5-136) said he too was distracted by the laser beam while the plane was preparing to land on runway 29, from the direction of National Highway 8, at the IGI airport.

“The incident took place on Monday around 7.30 pm when the Air Asia flight was approaching the airport and had been cleared to land on runway 29. The pilot complained of some distraction and immediately informed the air traffic controller (ATC), who informed the manager on the ground,” said a senior airport official on the condition of anonymity.

“As per the communion made by the pilot of the said Air Asia flight with ATC, he had spotted green laser light somewhere very close to the runway 29 coming from east side when the aircraft was about to land and was 4 nautical miles from the runway,” said the official.

In another incident, a Jet Airways pilot of flight number 9W830 (Chennai to Delhi) had also spotted green laser light somewhere very close to runway 29. In this regard a wireless massage was also flashed to report the authorities concerned in the airport to take appropriate action.

“This is not only a distraction and source of nuisance but may also prove dangerous to the safety and security of the passenger and crew of these two flights,” said the official.

A senior Delhi police officer said, “We are looking into the incident and believe that someone from around the area might have created this mischief. We are also in touch with the concerned authority.”

The police has filed a case against “unknown person” and is investigating the matter.