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Investigators are looking reports that a laser was pointed at an aircraft near Hillsboro Airport on Sunday night. Lasers directed at planes can disorient and temporarily blind pilots, according to the FBI and FAA.
(FBI)
Investigators are looking into reports that a laser was pointed at an airplane near the Hillsboro Airport on Sunday night, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
The plane was headed north at 9:10 p.m. and was about 2,000 feet in the air when it was illuminated by a green laser, said FAA spokesman Allen Kenitzer.
Kenitzer said no injuries were reported. He couldn't provide any further details about the investigation, but said they are typically led by local police and the FBI.
Lasers directed at aircraft can disorient and temporarily blind pilots, according to the FBI and FAA.
In 2013, Portland police and FBI investigated a similar report by flying an aircraft near the location where a laser had been spotting shining on commercial planes. The idea worked and when a beam struck the police aircraft, agents drew a bead on the locale, according to affidavit filed later.
Agents then installed surveillance cameras outside an apartment on the city's northeast side that eventually captured their suspect, Stephen F. Bukucs, on film.
Last month, Bukucs was sentenced to six months federal prison.