Multiple laser attacks on commercial planes over New Zealand
Multiple commercial flights have been targeted in laser attacks in New Zealand overnight.
Two pilots of a commercial flight suffered headaches and their vision was temporarily affected after a reported laser strike over Hutt Valley on Thursday night, police said.
And pilots on several flights landing at Auckland Airport on Friday morning have reported being targeted from a laser being pointed from the south Auckland suburb of Weymouth at around 5.15am, according to reports.
Airways NZ said a helicopter was targeted from the same position at about 9.40pm on Thursday night.
Police said they are investigating the incidents, with patrols sent to the Weymouth area, although no one was found.
At about 8.10pm on Thursday, when a powerful green laser was pointed into the cockpit of an aircraft flying from Hamilton to Wellington.
The plane, with passengers on board, was at 10,500 feet and the light was believed to have originated from the Trentham area. It landed safely.
Police are doing area patrols, but say they need the public's help to find the offender.
They say it's an offence under the Summary Offences Act 1981 for anyone in a public place to be in possession of a high-powered laser without reasonable excuse.
- With NZN
