MCAS pilots getting lasers pointed at their aircraft while flying

MCAS tells us they don't believe people are doing it with bad intentions, but want to let the community know of the dangers - 13 On Your Side's Luis Lopez reports

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - As planes and helicopters from Marine Corps Air Station Yuma fly through the skies, nighttime flying presents a whole new challenge, laser pointers from civilians on the ground.

MCAS says people have been pointing lasers directly at their aircraft.

The lasers go right through the front window and even into pilots’ eyes, which Major Joshua Sharp says can cause serious issues as they fly.

“You can mistake it for another aircrafts light, natural inclination is you want to figure out what’s going on there and then that’s when you put yourself at risk basically, whenever you get lazed in the eye you might experience some discomfort, or in worst case, blindness,” Sharp said.

As for why people are doing this, MCAS says they don’t believe it’s done with bad intent.
Instead, they say people just need to be more aware.

“I know there’s some legitimate reasons to have a laser pointer such as astronomy and other recreational uses, but just trying to reinforce the health and welfare of the Marines and also of the Yuma Community,” Sharp said.

MCAS says if you still want to use a laser pointer recreationally, be sure to stop if you see any kind of aircraft in the sky.