Police are investigating a report on Thursday 29th September 2016 at about 8.10pm of a powerful green laser being pointed into the cockpit of a commercial aircraft enroute to Wellington Airport.
The Hamilton to Wellington plane, with passengers on board, was targeted at about 10,500 feet.
The laser light is believed to have originated from the Trentham area, south of Upper Hutt, near the motorway.
Both pilots suffered headaches and had their vision temporarily obscured as a result of the strike, but the plane later landed safely.
As well are doing area patrols, Police now need the public’s help in finding the offender(s) who put people and the pilots at risk.
If anyone knows of a person with a laser, or witnessed one being operated this evening, please call Police on 111.
Anyone found to be pointing lasers into cockpits can expect to be held to account through the court system and face serious charges.
It is also an offence under the Summary Offences Act 1981 for anyone, in a public place, to be in possession of a high-power laser, without reasonable excuse.
ENDS
Police Media Centre