Iqaluit police investigating laser pointed at incoming aircraft

Iqaluit RCMP say someone pointed a laser at an airport in approach to the Iqaluit airport Jan.10 (PHOTO BY SARAH ROGERS)

Nunavut police are looking for an individual or group responsible for pointing a laser at an aircraft coming in to land at the Iqaluit airport earlier this month.

Police say they received reports that a laser pointer was directed at a Keewatin Air Pilatus flying from Kimmirut and on approach to the Iqaluit airport Jan. 10 at about 2:30 a.m.

Lasers can cause temporary flash blindness to a pilot and pointing lasers at aircraft has resulted in arrests, trials and jail sentences in other jurisdictions.

Members of the RCMP are investigating the incident, which police say remains unsolved.

“The Iqaluit RCMP would like to advise the public of the dangers and potential consequences associated with this action,” police said in a Jan. 22 release. “These light sources are hazardous to pilots and threaten passenger safety.”

Police warn that aiming any “directed bright light” source into the cockpit of an aircraft is a offence under the federal Aeronautics Act.

Convicted offenders can face a fine of $100,000 or five years imprisonment.

RCMP are asking anyone who witnessed any bright light activity on Jan. 10 — or at any other time — to report it to their local detachment at 867 — (local exchange) — 0123.