FBI PROBES LIGHT FLASH AT JET FROM BURBANK.Byline: Alex Dobuzinskis Staff Writer BURBANK - The FBI is investigating whether a laser beam was flashed last week at a Southwest Airlines This article is about the American airline. For the former Japanese airline, see Japan Transocean Air. For the British airline, see Air Southwest. Southwest Airlines Co. jet flying from Bob Hope Airport Bob Hope Airport (IATA: BUR, ICAO: KBUR, FAA LID: BUR) is a regional and national airport located in Burbank, California, United States. It was formerly known as United Airport (1930-1934); Union Air Terminal (1934-1940); to San Jose San Jose, city, United States San Jose (sănəzā`, săn hōzā`), city (1990 pop. 782,248), seat of Santa Clara co., W central Calif.; founded 1777, inc. 1850. , officials said Wednesday. The pilot reported seeing a flash of green light on the nose of his aircraft about 5:45 p.m. Jan. 5 as he flew at an altitude of about 2,500 feet, FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimeller said. The light did not enter the cockpit This article is about the flight deck of an aircraft. For other uses, see Cockpit (disambiguation). A cockpit is the area usually nearer the front of a piloted aircraft from which a pilot controls the aircraft. , and the pilot did not have to alter his flight path. ``It absolutely could have been a child, perhaps, that got a laser for Christmas. Certainly could have been something more nefarious than that. Could have been accidental,'' Eimeller said. ``There is no indication that this is terrorism-related. It is under investigation, though. We certainly take any interference with a flight seriously.'' Light from a laser beam can cause disorientation disorientation /dis·or·i·en·ta·tion/ (-or?e-en-ta´shun) the loss of proper bearings, or a state of mental confusion as to time, place, or identity. , temporary blindness or permanent eye damage. Southwest has told its pilots to look away if they see an unexpected light source and to report it, a company spokeswoman said. There have been 31 reported laser incidents involving aircraft since Dec. 23, according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. the U.S. Department of Transportation. ``The main thing is, we want some more information about it (from authorities). And some of it could be just local pranky-type stuff, or it might have something to do with terrorists,'' said Allen Philpot, president of the National Pilots Association. Alex Dobuzinskis, (818) 546-3304 alex.dobuzinskis(at)dailynews.com |
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