Police in North Bay are investigating after a report of a laser light being directed at an aircraft during landing on Wednesday night.
The alleged incident took place at North Bay’s Jack Garland Airport.
Police say they received the call around 9:30 pm March 20.
Transport Canada says incidents of lasers aimed at aircraft threaten aviation safety. The organization says aiming a laser at a plane or helicopter can cause a major accident by distracting the pilot, creating glare that affects the pilot’s vision or by temporarily blinding the pilot.
In 2017, there were nearly 400 reported incidents. Transport Canada says it’s a disturbing statistic because it means putting the safety of pilots, crew and passengers at risk.
Police are reminding people that you can be charged criminally under the Aeronautics Act and you cannot possess a laser pointer over 1 milliwatt (mW) within 10 kilometres of an airport or certified heliport.
There are serious penalties if convicted of intentionally interfering with an aircraft by using a laser, up to $100,000 in fines, five years in jail or both.
