Police are reminding public to be aware of civil aviation laws, after receiving reports of an apparent safety breach to an aircraft in Mount Maunganui last night.
A police media spokesperson says a report was made about laser light that had been seen pointing towards aircraft in the Mount Maunganui area, at approximately 8.45pm.
'There were no further reports and no further flights scheduled yesterday evening following the report.”
Police are now reminding public about civil aviation laws.
'It is an offence under the Civil Aviation Act 1990 to endanger an aircraft in any way.”
'Due to the potential for serious harm as a result of pointing a laser at an aircraft, there may be serious penalties for those involved.”
Police encourage anyone who sights activity of this kind to report the incident to 111 immediately.
5 comments
Hoodunnit?
Posted on 07-09-2017 15:36 | By Papamoaner
It's easier to determine than we might think. If you see a laser beam pointing up towards an aircraft, take a bearing on the lowest point by lining it up with another object like for example, a neighbour's chimney, then give your position and that information to police. If two other people do the same, and they are not too near you, 3 lines can be drawn, and they will converge in a "cocked hat" shape, a bit like a small triangle. The culprit is inside that cocked hat. This is quick and very easy to do using Google Earth. The culprit's position or address is clearly visible on GE. I don't know why CAA are not advertising this information because it's a good deterrent as well as a good investigative tool.
just
Posted on 07-09-2017 19:58 | By Capt_Kaveman
ban laser pointers
Wasnt me
Posted on 07-09-2017 22:21 | By paul
U may need to be a bit more precise than that mate
Total ban
Posted on 08-09-2017 08:58 | By hapukafin
What use is there for the everyday person have for a laser light?They should be totally banned and those who do have a use for it be licensed the same as for a firearm.It will be too late to say more should have been done to control them when an aircraft crash killing all those aboard.It is obvious that punishment handed out to previous offenders has not been severe enough to be a deterrant .This applies to other crime too and there are too many to list.A recent article in a SE Asian paper quoted saying ,3 locals who sexually assaulted a tourist were jailed for between 5 and 6 years plus 5-8 strokes of the cane.these guys wont do it again and is a powerful deterrant.Time our law is overhauled.Dairy owners have been calling for this for sometime now.
@Hapukafin
Posted on 08-09-2017 15:44 | By Papamoaner
True. Authorities are quite good at quick location and apprehension when it happens, much to the surprise of the offenders, but as you say, the penalties have not been sufficiently deterrent. Banning is very complicated and cumbersome to enforce, which is why I reckon powerful deterrent is the way to go.
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