A pilot has complained of being distracted by a laser beam while preparing for landing at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport on Saturday.
The pilot of Ethiopian Airways flight number ET-6888 Michael (from Adis Ababa to Delhi) said he was distracted by the laser beam while the plane was preparing to land on Runway number 28 at IGIA around 1 am.
“I spotted the laser somewhere 12 nautical miles from IGI Airport, while the aircraft was about to land and it distracted me while I was in the process of landing,” alleged the pilot.
Airport officials said that laser beams were a major security threat for flights and CISF officials were informed about the incident immediately. CISF then informed the Delhi Police who registered an FIR under Section 188 of IPC against unknown persons at the IGI Airport police station.
“The incident took place on Saturday 12:54 am when the flight was approaching the airport and had been cleared to land on Runway 28. The pilot complained of some distraction due to the laser beam (nearby Faridabad, Haryana) and immediately informed the Air Traffic Controller, who informed the manager on the ground,” said an airport official.
A senior Delhi Police official said, “We are looking in to the incident and believe that someone from Vasant Kunj or around the area might have created this mischief. We are also in touch with the pilot-in- command”.
The Delhi Police had earlier banned the use of laser lights around the airport after the Air Traffic Control reported numerous incidents of distraction of pilots by laser beam while they approached the runway to land. Such lights were regularly used at wedding venues around the airport.
“It is not just a source of nuisance but also a major threat to the safety and security of passengers/crew and the aircraft in question,” said the official, adding, “Section 144 of CRPC was violated and the prohibitory orders have been contravened by some unknown persons/organiser/occupiers at a distance of 12 nautical miles from IGIA.