Laser beams haunt pilots in Chennai
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After more than a year, the laser beam worry for pilots has returned to Chennai.
On Thursday, an Emirates Airlines pilot complained of a green laser beam hitting the cockpit at 8.40 pm when the EK 546 Dubai to Chennai flight, with as many as 242 passengers on board, was readying to land at the city airport.
Laser beams usually blind the pilot. In the case of a person who is in control of the flight, even a slight distraction could prove fatal. However, in this case, the pilot handled the situation well.
Airport sources said the air traffic controller had given permission for the aircraft to land and while the flight was on its final descent near St Thomas Mount, the captain was momentarily blinded by a laser beam that hit the cockpit.
However, sources said, the captain managed to go around and land the flight safely. He immediately informed the air traffic controller, who in turn alerted the airport director.
A police complaint was filed. A special team has now been formed under the St Thomas Mount deputy commissioner to track the source of the laser beam. On June 18, 2011, Deccan Chronicle had come out with an exclusive story on how laser beam tracking has become a worry for pilots flying in to or out of Chennai.
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