CAAS turns the spotlight on risks posed by laser lights shone at planes

SINGAPORE — The number of cases of laser lights being shone at aircraft landing and taking off at Changi Airport has seen a big jump in recent years — 45 in 2012, from five in 2009. Although the figure fell to 25 last year, there is little cause for cheer given the dangers posed by such incidents.

To combat the menace, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) has sent out about 76,000 letters to residents in the East Coast area to warn them against shining laser lights at aircraft. The CAAS said such acts pose a hazard to the safety of an aircraft and risk the lives of those on board, as lights hitting the cockpit may cause discomfort to pilots, or even distract or confuse them.

In more severe cases, pilots may experience temporary flash blindness or suffer injuries to their eyes, which can seriously affect flight operations, especially during the critical phases of take-off and landing.

The CAAS believes the cases of laser incidents reported so far are related to acts of mischief, committed by those who are unaware of the dangers caused by their actions, rather than wilful attempts to cause distress.

In its letter to residents in the East Coast, the area where many pilots had reported seeing laser beams from their planes, the authority urged the public to refrain from shining laser lights at aircraft. It added: “Should you notice anyone directing laser lights at aircraft, we seek your help to advise the person(s) to stop such acts.”

The letter also noted that, under the Singapore Air Navigation Order, a person could be fined up to S$20,000 for such an activity, while a repeat offender faces a fine of S$40,000 and/or up to 15 months’ jail.

The concern over such incidents was raised in Parliament in March 2012, when Member of Parliament Indranee Rajah (Tanjong Pagar GRC) asked if any action would be taken against those who endanger aircraft and passengers by shining laser lights at planes landing at Changi Airport.

Saying that the authorities take a serious view of the matter, Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew noted that during investigations into such cases, the police faced difficulties in arresting those responsible because pilots often struggled to pinpoint the exact location of the laser beam source. Compounding the problem is the fact that high-powered laser pointers can be easily hidden from sight.

The use of lasers comes under the Radiation Protection Act, administered by the National Environment Agency (NEA). Under the Act, owners and operators of powerful classes of lasers that emit as much as 100 milliwatts (mW), typically used for industrial or medical purposes, must have licences to legally possess and use them.

However, low-powered laser pens and pointers can be bought off-the- shelf in most stationery stores. The NEA cautioned that although laser pens may have a low power of 5mW, they could still cause temporary flash blindness if aimed directly at the eyes.

Several other countries have also expressed growing concern over laser incidents. In February, CNN reported that the United States Federal Aviation Administration had seen the number of reported “laser attacks” jump from 283 in 2005 to 3,960 last year — resulting in actual cases of pilots suffering from burnt corneas as a result of a direct laser hit to the eye.