Now Reading: Laser blinds Malaysia Airlines pilot near Kolkata, flight circles
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Laser blinds Malaysia Airlines pilot near Kolkata, flight circles
A Malaysia Airlines flight from Kuala Lumpur carrying 159 passengers was forced to circle over Kolkata after a laser beam blinded the pilot while approaching Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport late…
The Story in Brief
A Malaysia Airlines flight from Kuala Lumpur carrying 159 passengers was forced to circle over Kolkata after a laser beam blinded the pilot while approaching Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport late on Saturday night, airport sources said on Sunday. Flight MH-184 was scheduled to land at 11.20 pm but when it was about eight nautical miles from the runway, a bright laser flashed towards the cockpit from the Madhyamgram-Barasat side, momentarily disorienting the pilot.
The aircraft eventually landed safely at around 11.25 pm. Kolkata airport director Vikram Singh said such incidents occasionally occur despite a ban on laser lights near the airport. A complaint has been lodged with the police, who are investigating. Similar laser interference was reported during the 2025 Durga Puja festival near Sreebhumi, when a laser show was stopped after pilots complained.
The Indian Opinion
Laser attacks on aircraft are a known hazard, yet enforcement of the ban around Kolkata airport seems casual. This incident, involving a foreign airline with 159 passengers, could have been worse. The typical narrative treats it as a minor prank, but the risk of a crash is real. The question remains: will the police investigation trace the source, and will the airport authorities implement stricter measures to prevent recurrence?
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
