Laser beam was pointed at plane landing in Winnipeg

Someone on the ground south of Winnipeg aimed a green laser directly at the cockpit of a plane landing at the Winnipeg airport earlier this week, CBC News has learned.

A piercing green light shot into the cockpit of an Air Canada plane as the crew was about to land at Richardson International Airport around 4 a.m. CT Wednesday, according to an incident report.

The crew landed the aircraft safely, but the captain will have to have his eyes checked.  Permanent damage to the eyes can jeopardize a pilot's career.

The device was likely a hand-held laser pointer originating from the St. Adolphe area, about 25 kilometres south of Winnipeg.

"It's not a good thing. I don't appreciate it at all — it's a safety hazard," said Adam Penner, a fellow pilot.

Laser pointers are widely available and safe if used according to their instructions, but they can damage the retina or cause temporary blindness or dazzling if shone into someone's eyes. The green ones, mostly used in astronomy, send light the farthest  — some can distract a pilot flying as high as 10,000 feet.

Astronomer Blair Colborne said he can't believe someone would misuse one of the tools of his trade in this manner.

"They are idiots that are just looking for some form of glory," he said. " I don't understand the mentality to it, because shooting down a plane is really a no-no."

Laser incidents on the rise

Transport Canada said incidents involving lasers are occurring more often.

Lasers have been pointed at pilots 53 times in 2008, according to the federal department — more than double the total number of incidents in all of 2007. In 2006, only three cases were reported.

Three separate planes were targeted with lasers at the airport in Calgary on Tuesday night. 

Police are investigating Wednesday morning's Winnipeg incident.