Plane lasered over Hamilton overnight

Police investigating the lasering of a small aircraft as it flew over Hamilton last night are appealing for information on those responsible before tragedy strikes.

Senior Sergeant Kevin Anderson said a 111 call was made to the Northern Communications Centre about 8.35pm by the pilot of an aircraft attempting to land the plane at the City's airport.

"The pilot said the green laser appeared to come from the south end of either Victoria or Anglesea Sts and the aircraft had been painted by the laser a number of times on its approach.

"Obviously the stakes these offenders are playing with are extremely high, given that distracting a pilot can have very tragic circumstances we need to find who was responsible before they offend again."

Last December a pilot reported being distracted by a green laser as she flew over the City's eastern suburbs, earlier in the same week motorists had reported a similar laser being directed at drivers in the vicinity of Mill St and the City's stadium."

Mr Anderson said green lasers have a maximum power rating of 5 milliwatt and are deemed to be more hazardous that red laser pointers commonly encountered in classrooms and conferences.

These devices emit light at a wavelength of 532 nanometres and are perceived by the human eye as green.

The eye’s maximum sensitivity to visible light is around this wavelength and the eye will interpret a green laser light as being up to 30 times brighter than a red laser of the same power.

"Direct eye exposure to one of these laser beams can result in momentary 'flash blindness'
causing distraction to aircrews or drivers of motor vehicles on the ground.

"So obviously we want to hear from anyone with any information on who was responsible
for this incident and we ask anyone who can shed any light on the offender's description to
ring the Hamilton Central Police Station on 07 858 6200."

Alternatively information can be left anonymously on the CrimeStoppers Crimeline, 0800 555111.

Anyone discovered interfering with an aircraft in flight by using a laser faces stiff penalties
with a person found guilty of an offence under Section 44 of the Civil Aviation Act facing a maximum of 12 months imprisonment or a fine not exceeding $10,000