What this relates to:
A bright light. The light appears suddenly, blinding the pilots. The possible consequences range from brief distraction to temporary blindness or even permanent eye damage. Exposing crews to glare is illegal and can have fatal consequences, especially in the crucial phases of approach, takeoff or low-altitude flight, which require a pilot’s full attention.
Two examples:
A helicopter is flying to its base. Suddenly a laser beam is aimed at the crew, disrupting the approach. The pilot reacts quickly, and warns the crew of the beam coming into the cockpit. Nobody is injured. He briefly switches the positioning lights off, and the laser activity stops.
Blue and green lasers are shone at a helicopter during the final approach to the runway. The crew informs the tower immediately, and the police are already waiting for them upon landing to take their statements.
Commentary on the 2023 figures
In 2023, there were 16 reports of laser attacks on helicopter crews; the highest rate in the last five years. The average annual value for the last five years is 10.8 reports. The potential hazard is quite significant as most helicopters have a crew consisting of just one pilot. If dazzling occurs during a sensitive flight phase such as low-level flight, approach or departure – when flying to a hospital landing site in a densely populated area, for example – the pilot has little time to bring the situation back under control.
In 2023, there were 192 reports of laser attacks on aeroplanes, which also represented a new high for the last five years. The five-year average is 108.4 reports per year. The number of reports went down during the COVID pandemic, with 40 reports in 2020 and 62 in 2021. Since 2022 the number of cases has increased markedly. In contrast to helicopter operations, the danger to a commercial aircraft and its occupants is somewhat lower as there are two pilots in the cockpit and the autopilot ensures safe flying in most cases. Despite the lesser danger for a commercial aircraft, laser attacks are still hazardous because they can result in lasting eye damage for crew members.
