Air traffic controllers and Israel Civil Air Administration officials are concerned over the latest threat, a green laser that interfered with an El Al commercial passenger jet as it was preparing to land in Ben-Gurion International Airport.

Civil air officials explain they are busy enough tracking down and shutting pirate radio stations, which commonly interfere with air traffic controllers. Now, it appears there is a new hazard, a powerful green laser which is aimed directly at the cockpit of a commercial craft as it makes a landing.

“Suddenly, all I saw was green. The runway which was clear as day a few second earlier had vanished. It was truly frightening” reports a pilot in his statement to investigators probing the laser incident.

Investigators report they have received a number of complaints from Israeli and foreign pilots, all explaining that as they were preparing for landing a bright green beam appeared, blinding them. From the available information in the ongoing investigation, it appears the laser is being direct from kilometers away, from a rooftop in Givatayim or Ramat Gan. It is relevant to point out that the laser used in the incidents is not similar to the lasers used as pointing devices or on weapons, but a model that is far stronger, brighter and threatening.

Authorities add that the threat of a laser beam disrupting civilian traffic has for sometime been a possible threat, but this marks the first time that a laser has been used to temporarily blind pilots.

Some air traffic experts warn that if both pilots are temporarily blinded during a critical phase of landing, even for fractions of seconds, the result may be catastrophic. “If the pilot cannot visualize the runway, the chance of making a safe landing drops to almost zero” the expert adds.

It should be pointed out that many major airports, including Ben-Gurion International, a pilot can land using a plane’s auto pilot but manual landing is preferable, weather conditions permitting, experts add.

Officials involved in the investigation state it is entirely possible that the people behind the laser incidents believe it is a joke, totally unaware of the seriousness of their actions. Already a number of years ago, the FBI warned terror organizations were working to acquire powerful lasers to use for just this purpose, to down commercial flights.

While details of the ongoing investigation are not being released for obvious reasons, officials add that special equipment is being deployed to assist in tracking the source of the laser beam.

According to the report, the laser in question is easily available for purchase, for NIS 3,500, the type commonly used in laser performances and shows. Experts explain if a laser does not conform to military standards, it is less expensive [and apparently more problematic].

Every laser, even a simple one used by children, carries a warning not to direct the beam at one’s eyes for fear of injury. There are expensive solutions, such as the face shield incorporated into the helmets used by IAF pilots, providing protection against lasers. Unlike their military counterparts, El Al and other civilian pilots are not protected against a laser beam directed at them.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)