A green laser strike aimed directly at the cockpit of a WestJet flight travelling from Toronto to Fort McMurray last month forced the flight’s first officer to seek medical attention.
The pilot and crew were able to safely land the plane at its destination on August 22; but the incident forced the cancellation of a subsequent flight until a replacement pilot could be found.
“Sadly, laser strikes are not uncommon, as of May we had experienced about 40 of them, and they come with real repercussions for our crew,” Lauren Stewart, a WestJet spokesperson said Saturday.
“Safety at WestJet is the number one priority and we want to ensure our crew have access to the safest conditions possible,” Stewart added.
The plane was travelling at about 3500 ft. when the incident happened.
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“Shining a laser in a manner that could result in injury or serious damage is an incredibly thoughtless thing to do. It’s potentially very dangerous and perpetrators can be charged with endangering a flight,” Stewart said.
Employee privacy prevented Stewart from elaborating on the pilot’s condition.
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The incident was recorded on the Transport Canada website.
The CADORS report states the Boeing 737 reported laser activity during the final 10 nautical miles on Runway 25. “A green laser was originating from their 1 o’clock 3NM North of CYMM. No operational impact,” the report said.
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