Laser beam pointed at passenger plane flying from Antalya to Istanbul

A Pegasus Airlines Airbus 320 passenger plane, operating flight PC-4022 from Antalya to Istanbul, was targeted by a laser beam yesterday evening while landing at Sabiha Gökçen Airport. Upon this, the pilot contacted air traffic control and reported, 'A laser is being pointed at our current position.'

The air traffic controller notified the authorities of the situation. The Pegasus passenger plane landed at the airport without any issues following the incident.

PENALTY IS 91 THOUSAND 139 LIRA

It is stated that distracting and harmful lights, such as lasers directed at an aircraft cockpit, have a direct impact on the pilot's vision and jeopardize flight safety. It is also known that these lights can cause temporary blindness and lead to a lack of concentration in the decisions a pilot must make.

According to the administrative fines published by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, a fine of 91 thousand 139 lira is imposed for pointing lasers at aircraft in a way that risks flight safety, interfering with aircraft communications, or committing similar violations. In the US, a person who pointed a laser at a Delta Air Lines plane and was found to have committed this crime multiple times was sentenced to prison.