While this is news to me, I am sending out the PSA: don’t try this at home.
New reports have highlighted a recent event in Tultepec, Mexico, where hundreds of festival goers simultaneously shined high-powered laser pointers at a passenger airplane.
The lasers were so numerous and so bright that the plane appeared to be jewel-encrusted as it flew by the festival.
Shining jet lasers at airplanes is extremely dangerous and can potentially lead to a fatal incident for the passengers and crew of an aerial object.
Again, this is a warning not to try this at home. Watch the startling moment the passenger airplane was targeted by hundreds, if not thousands, of lasers:
Laser pointing on a flying aircraft: In what is a criminal activity,an aircraft that was flying over the area of the International Pyrotechnics Fair in Tultepec,Mexico, several people began to point green laser beams until the aircraft was illuminated in that color.
🎥ariaestef1 pic.twitter.com/I7FKGnRYIN— FL360aero (@fl360aero) March 20, 2024
Insane
Pointing a laser at an airplane is a very dangerous and a criminal act.
I cannot express how dangerous this is to the safety of the aircraft and crew. Please, do not do this. Ever. https://t.co/UBj8OP1I80— Ahmed Hassan (@The__Hassan) March 21, 2024
Pointing a laser at an airplane should be considered attempted murder https://t.co/1k0cmA21mJ
— Tunis (@tunis97x) March 20, 2024
Daily Mail explained:
It is currently unclear if the police are investigating the video or if the airline targeted has complained to air safety officials.
The annual International Pyrotechnics Festival is a celebration of the area’s role as the centre of Mexico’s home-grown fireworks industry.
Up to 100,000 festival goers watch and take part in spectacular processions using huge displays of fireworks.
One social media account revealed yet another case of an individual pointing a laser beam at an aircraft, with this incident occurring in America.
The suspect is now staring down a potential five-year sentence and a hefty fine of $250,00 for his alleged crime.
A Tucson man was arrested after pointing a laser at Pima County Sheriff’s Airplane “SURVEY” on two different occasions.
According to the Department of Justice:
Charles William Preston II, 53, of Tucson, was arrested on March 6, 2024 by the FBI and Pima County Sheriff Dept. pic.twitter.com/Mk7yEk4VDC
— Nghtclaw Media (@nghtclaw) March 20, 2024
USA Today issued this warning about laser and airplane safety:
When a laser beam reaches an aircraft at 1,000 feet, it looks much bigger than the pinpoint that appears when used at short range and pointed at a wall or floor.
After a laser hits the plexiglass windshield, the light “disperses even more” and can illuminate the whole cockpit, temporarily blinding pilots, St. Louis Metropolitan Police Officer Doug Reinholz said in an FBI video.
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