Police yesterday warned of “potentially catastrophic consequences” after a laser pen was shone at the pilot of a passenger plane coming in to land at Inverness Airport.
The green laser was shone into the cockpit of the Loganair Saab 340 aircraft at about 5.30pm on Wednesday.
Eight passengers and three crew were on board the plane, which was coming into Inverness from Stornoway.
The aircraft landed safely and the incident was reported to police.
It is believed that the laser came from somewhere in the Inverness area as the aircraft flew above the Holm Mills area of the city.
A police spokeswoman said: “The use of a laser pen in this manner is extremely reckless and such use could have catastrophic consequences for the person distracted – who in this case, was the pilot of an aircraft – in addition to passengers and the general public.
“We would urge people in possession of these type of devices not to misuse them in this manner and remind people that matters such as this are taken very seriously by both Police Scotland and the Scottish Courts.”
Maurice Boyle, Loganair’s director of operations, said: “The use of laser pens around airports is extremely reckless and could permanently damage a pilot’s vision.
“The seriousness of these actions is amplified as the pilot was beginning his decent towards the airport and we would ask those responsible to think of the consequences of their behaviour.
“Loganair works closely with the Civil Aviation Authority and Police Scotland to investigate every incident of this nature with the purpose of identifying and prosecuting the individuals committing these dangerous acts.”
Inverness South councillor Ken Gowans said: “This is not the first time this has happened and I don’t know what we need to so to get through to these people. This is absolute lunacy and is putting the lives of many people at risk and is an absolutely irresponsible action.
“For it to happen at such a crucial part of the flight, when the aircraft is on its final approach, jeopardizes everyone’s safety.
“I hope if anyone is aware of anyone doing this they will alert the authorities. It is not even so much to discipline them but more about educating these people.”
The actions follow similar incidents in Inverness and Ross-shire last year.
In October, a green laser was pointed at a Bristow Search and Rescue 951 helicopter, from the centre of Alness. And in May, a green laser was shone into the cockpit of a Bristow Rescue 951 aircraft from the Old Town Road area of Hilton, Inverness.
In both cases the green laser briefly dazzled the helicopter’s pilot.
Anyone with information about the latest incident involving the passenger plane should contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.