Virgin Atlantic #VS25 returning to Heathrow after suspected laser incident

[Tywais]

BREAKING Virgin Atlantic #VS25 returning to Heathrow after suspected laser incident

Reports are coming in that a Virgin Atlantic plane bound for New York has been in an incident where a laser has been pointed at the cockpit and has caused effect to one or both of the pilots of the A340.
Click here to Listen to the ATC of the pilot declaring this incident (via @AirportWebcams)

BREAKING: VIR25B LHR-JFK is ret. to LHR due medical emergency with pilot re "laser incident at take-off". Decl. Pan http://pic.twitter.com/9cp1h1TOGD
— Airport Webcams (@AirportWebcams) February 14, 2016

Laser Incident happened 6 Miles West of London Heathrow #VS25
— Flight Alerts (@FlightAlerts777) February 14, 2016

Airsoc.com

[Tywais]

NEWS Virgin Atlantic plane returned to Heathrow after a laser was pointed at the cockpit affecting the crew on board

STATEMENT FROM VIRGIN ATLANTIC

“The safety of our crew and customers is our top priority and we apologise for any inconvenience to those onboard.

All customers will be offered overnight accommodation and we will get them on their journey as soon as possible.”

UPDATE

Passengers are to be moved onto new flight departing tomorrow at 1pm

CONFIRMED – LATEST

Sky News tweets and confirms that flight #VS25 returned to Heathrow because of a laser being pointed at the cockpit and obscuring the pilot’s vision.

airlive.net

[Tywais]

[Tywais]

Laser beam forces New York-bound flight to return to London

LONDON — A Virgin Atlantic flight bound for New York from London turned around after a laser beam incident, police confirmed Monday morning.

The incident, which happened Sunday night, is currently being investigated as authorities work to determine where the incident took place, the Metropolitan Police said in statement sent to Mashable.

The plane's first officer reportedly felt unwell, prompting flight VS25, which took off from London Heathrow at 8:05 p.m., to return to the airport following the 8:13 p.m. incident.

More here - Mashable

[Tywais]

Harry ‏@NewsHazbail

UPDATE Virgin Atlantic: "we're working with authorities to identify the source of the laser" http://airlive.net/laser #airlivenet

[Tywais]

[Tywais]

This is a similarity from a different incidence and not this one.

[BuaBS]

You've got to be kidding here ! What a bunch of woosies ! I guess they don't fly with the sun in their eyes , you know that bright light a 1000 times brighter than a green laser pointer. Ridiculous.

[Tywais]

You've got to be kidding here ! What a bunch of woosies ! I guess they don't fly with the sun in their eyes , you know that bright light a 1000 times brighter than a green laser pointer. Ridiculous.

Not unless it is focused which a laser is. Much higher concentration. Think magnifying glass + sun = burn something. Plus, he was flying at night and certainly wouldn't be prepared for sun. If you don't think it is an issue, read this - one of many incidents. Not as simple as you seem to think to be prepared.

In November, it was reported that a British Airways pilot was left with significant damage to his eyesight after a laser was shone into the plane he was landing at Heathrow.

The British Airline Pilots' Association said at the time that the pilot suffered a burned retina in his right eye while sitting in the co-pilot's seat.

http://mashable.com/2016/02/15/flight-vs25-virgin-atlantic-laser/#b1y3YL8aUPqB

[SOTIRIOS]

...would really like to have more facts on this....

[Mr Money Bags]

...would really like to have more facts on this....

I'm quite sure they will be forthcoming once they have been ascertained.

Patience is a virtue......

You're Welcome!!

[BuaBS]

You've got to be kidding here ! What a bunch of woosies ! I guess they don't fly with the sun in their eyes , you know that bright light a 1000 times brighter than a green laser pointer. Ridiculous.

Not unless it is focused which a laser is. Much higher concentration. Think magnifying glass + sun = burn something. Plus, he was flying at night and certainly wouldn't be prepared for sun. If you don't think it is an issue, read this - one of many incidents. Not as simple as you seem to think to be prepared.

In November, it was reported that a British Airways pilot was left with significant damage to his eyesight after a laser was shone into the plane he was landing at Heathrow.

The British Airline Pilots' Association said at the time that the pilot suffered a burned retina in his right eye while sitting in the co-pilot's seat.

http://mashable.com/2016/02/15/flight-vs25-virgin-atlantic-laser/#b1y3YL8aUPqB

A burned retina from a laserpointer from that distance ? That would have to be a little stronger than a pointer.

[IAMHERE]

...would really like to have more facts on this....

Yes, like why was he looking at the ground ? He should be looking where he is flying or at his instruments. More likely the pilot wanted to stay in London for Valentines day.

[Srikcir]

The plane's first officer reportedly felt unwell

Hardly an expected effect from a burned retina from what would have to be a weapon or industrial grade laser beam. Furthermore, the alleged incident happened six miles west of London but the aircraft doesn't turn back until it's west of Ireland. Was there some question as to the pilot's condition?

[Tywais]

A burned retina from a laserpointer from that distance ? That would have to be a little stronger than a pointer.

I didn't mention a standard laser pointer you would use in ones presentation which is usually less then 1mW power. You can easily buy online 5 watt or greater lasers which can easily damage the eye.

As for the distance here are some numbers. Using Green (532nm) as the eye is most sensitive to it as it focuses direct on the retina. Red focuses behind and blue/yellow focuses in front of the retina.

5W green laser typical beam spread of 2 mradians. Ocular hazard distance 820ft (249.9 meters). Flash blindness distance 3,877 ft (1182meters). Glare distance 17739 ft (5285 meters). Distraction distance 173,391 ft (52,850 meters).

http://www.lasersafetyfacts.com/resources/Laser-hazard-distance-chart.pdf

There are units that hobbyists built that combine multiple ones in one package and a common focusing lens that can make that much higher. Refocusing the laser also increases the power density over distance.

[Tywais]

Virgin Atlantic laser incident: pilots' union demands action

Balpa says lasers should be classified as offensive weapons after jet had to return to Heathrow, with co-pilot receiving treatment

A pilots’ union has called for more to be done to tackle the growing use of lasers against aircraft as it emerged a paramedic was called to examine the co-pilot of a Virgin Atlantic flight that was forced to turn back to Heathrow.

The New York-bound flight returned to the airport in London as a precaution shortly after 8pm on Sunday, after it had passed over the west coast of Ireland, according to the flight tracking website Flight Radar.

A spokesman for the London Ambulance Service said: “We took a call at 9.39pm and sent a cycle responder to the scene,” adding that they checked one patient whose condition was not deemed serious enough to be taken to hospital.

Lasers targeting planes: what we know about the growing problem

A Virgin Atlantic spokeswoman said the safety of the crew and customers on board Flight VS025 was a top priority. She added: “All customers will be offered overnight accommodation and we will get them on their journey as soon as possible. We are working with the authorities to identify the source of the laser that caused the return of the aircraft to Heathrow.”

A message on the airline’s website said: “Following this incident the first officer reported feeling unwell. The decision was taken by both pilots to return to Heathrow rather than continue the transatlantic crossing.” It is understood that there were 252 passengers and 15 crew onboard.

Metropolitan police officers said they were working to determine where the laser was shone from and that no one had been arrested. In 2010, a law was passed in the UK to prevent “shining a light at an aircraft in flight so as to dazzle or distract the pilot”. If the distraction or dazzle is serious, a person may be found guilty of “reckless endangerment” and jailed under the legislation.

According to the British Airline Pilots’ Association (Balpa), a laser can result in temporary vision loss associated with flash blindness – a “visual interference that persists after the source of illumination has been removed” – as well as an after-image, which is an “image left in the visual field after exposure to a bright light”, and glare.

Balpa’s general secretary, Jim McAuslan, said: “This is not an isolated incident. Aircraft are attacked with lasers at an alarming rate and with lasers with ever-increasing strength.

“It is an incredibly dangerous thing to do. Shining a laser at an aircraft puts that aircraft, its crew and all the passengers on board at completely unnecessary risk. Modern lasers have the power to blind, and certainly to act as a huge distraction and to dazzle the pilots during critical phases of flight.”

Read more here - Guardian

[Tywais]

Lasers Threaten Pilots in the Sky

(CNN)A "laser incident" forced a pilot to turn around a flight from London to New York, Virgin Atlantic Airlines said.

Virgin Atlantic Flight 025 was en route from Heathrow Airport on Sunday when a laser was pointed at the plane, spokeswoman Jaime Fraser said.

"Following this incident, the first officer reported feeling unwell. The decision was taken by both pilots to return to Heathrow rather than continue the transatlantic crossing," the airline said on its website.

The aircraft landed safely at Heathrow with 252 passengers and 15 crew, Fraser said.

Virgin Atlantic said it's offering affected passengers overnight accommodation and the flight is scheduled to depart London on Monday.

The airline is working with authorities to confirm the source of the laser, it said.

More here - CNN

-- CNN February 15, 2016

[Tywais]

[Jonmarleesco]

You've got to be kidding here ! What a bunch of woosies ! I guess they don't fly with the sun in their eyes , you know that bright light a 1000 times brighter than a green laser pointer. Ridiculous.

Not unless it is focused which a laser is. Much higher concentration. Think magnifying glass + sun = burn something. Plus, he was flying at night and certainly wouldn't be prepared for sun. If you don't think it is an issue, read this - one of many incidents. Not as simple as you seem to think to be prepared.

In November, it was reported that a British Airways pilot was left with significant damage to his eyesight after a laser was shone into the plane he was landing at Heathrow.

The British Airline Pilots' Association said at the time that the pilot suffered a burned retina in his right eye while sitting in the co-pilot's seat.

http://mashable.com/2016/02/15/flight-vs25-virgin-atlantic-laser/#b1y3YL8aUPqB

A burned retina from a laserpointer from that distance ? That would have to be a little stronger than a pointer.

Where does it say it was a pointer?

[ThaiWest]

Please... ? Where has there been a laser shown at any domestic airline that it was not a 'pointer' type (one or more together)? Are you acually wanting facts or just wanting to argue for the sake of arguing? ?

[webfact]

Pilots demand laser ban after UK flight incident



"...both pilots could be blinded and that aircraft could end up off the runway with injuries not only to the crew but the passengers..."

LONDON: -- The British Airline Pilots Association (BALPA) is calling for tougher legislation to crackdown on the use of lasers after a laser beam forced a Virgin Atlantic flight bound for New York to return to London after dazzling the co-pilot.

The association says lasers can cause a temporary loss of vision.

“It is absolutely necessary that the government makes these lasers an offensive weapon, they are just the same as carrying a knife,” said BALPA spokesman, Captain Dave Smith. “BALPA’s biggest fear from these laser attacks is it’s going to happen right at the critical moment on landing, both pilots could be blinded and that aircraft could end up off the runway with injuries not only to the crew but the passengers and obviously that would be a very serious incident.”

Passenger Tom Whitfield was on the flight to New York with his partner for Valentine’s Day.

“I’m quite a nervous flier as it is,” he said. “So, once we were mid-flight and I was settling into my sort of vodka and coke, once the pilot made the announcement then you could tell something ominous was going on because of the tone on his voice. So it was quite scary to be fair.”

Virgin Atlantic said it is working with authorities to identity the source of the beam.

Records suggest 1,500 such attacks a year in the UK, but few prosecutions.


-- (c) Copyright Euronews 2016-02-16

[canuckamuck]

The days of the barbarians seemed so far behind us. Now it is our greatest threat. Well second greatest, behind the Skull and Bones club.

[Daffy D]

This must be good news for terrorists

They just have to be on a rooftop near a major flight path with a couple of strong lasers

No need for all that suicide stuff and messing about trying to smuggle explosives onto an aircraft

[mikeuberman]

Boris is recommending you use a Bike in London, like this one:-

http://www.theguardian.com/environment/bike-blog/2015/sep/16/london-santander-hire-bikes-high-tech-laser-lights-amid-arms-race-to-be-seen-blaze

it's easy to lift it up or do a wheelie and shine it at a nearby 'plane.

[bangon04]

"and I was settling into my sort of vodka and coke"

sort of, like I was like, sort of ... dude... <deleted> like, sort of .....

[ALLSEEINGEYE]

Why ban the lasers?

Lasers don't blind people, it's the aimer.

The only way to stop a bad guy with a laser is a good guy with a laser!!!

[masuk]

I was at a Duty Free store in China recently, and saw some kid waving a laser torch around as if he was Luke Skywalker. The sheer brilliance of this was frightening. Anyone getting one of these in the eyes could be in big trouble.

I imagine these would have a long range, hence pilots have every reason to be worried.

These are a prohibited import to Australia.

[Catoni]

You've got to be kidding here ! What a bunch of woosies ! I guess they don't fly with the sun in their eyes , you know that bright light a 1000 times brighter than a green laser pointer. Ridiculous.

No.... not kidding.....it's very dangerous and could lead to great loss of life someday. You really don't know what you are talking about.

I guarantee you that if you go outside in the summer on a bright sunny day, perhaps even in the winter, and stare at the bright sun for a while, you will be left with a burnt spot on your retina, and see a empty spot in your field of vision for the rest of your life. Every time there is a Solar Eclipse, the are a few people who end up with eyesight damage from looking at the sun with no protection.

The lens in your eye will focus the light to a point increasing the power of the light. Ever use a magnifying glass to start a fire was a kid? Your eye has a very similar concentrating lens.

You obviously have no idea of the power level of these laser pointers today. Especially dangerous to pilots flying at night.

The green and blue lasers are much brighter than the old red laser pointers of years ago... power for power. And there are videos on YouTube of kids giving instructions on boosting the power of their green and blue laser pointers to turn them into burning lasers. Not hard to do with some simple tools like a screwdriver and soldering tool and a couple other things..

If they are using these powerful lasers on aircraft... yes... pilots could easily suffer dazzled eyesight and at least temporary sight loss for a while..... if not permanent damage. Especially dangerous on landing approach.... could end up with a huge loss of life...

People caught doing it deserve at least a few years in prison. No Joke ! !

Edited February 16, 2016 by Catoni

[arunsakda]

Pointing a laser at an aircraft is a crime in the US and a big problem for our crews at certain locations overseas. It is hard to catch them but some have been prosecuted. Many don't know how serious this is or are too stupid to care or understand. Here is a link from my Unions' public site.

http://www3.alpa.org/LaserThreatAwareness/tabid/8230/Default.aspx

Edited February 16, 2016 by arunsakda

[Cynical Sailor]

In Australia there's been several instances of morons pointing lasers at police helicopters. The pilot backs off and directs the local police to the offending house.

There's no cure for stupid.