Pilot pinpoints location of laser culprits

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A laser pointed into an Air New Zealand cockpit while the jet was landing was so clear the pilot could pinpoint the location of the culprits for police.

Just before its scheduled arrival at 9pm on Monday, flight NZ679 from Auckland was approaching Dunedin International Airport when a green laser was aimed directly at the cockpit.

A spokesman for the airline said the pilot radioed the airport control tower, which notified police.

Detective Sergeant Neil Lowden, of Mosgiel police, said the pilot was able to pinpoint "fairly precisely where the laser originated", and a patrol of the Kinmont area found the two boys responsible.

While they were too young to be charged, he said,"they were given a stern warning and their parents weren't very impressed."

The incident had the potential to be extremely dangerous for the pilot, crew and passengers, especially during an approach to Dunedin at night, Mr Lowden said.

Civil Aviation Authority spokesman Bill Sommer said there were two other reported cases in Dunedin in 2009, with Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch reporting the most incidents.

- Otago Daily Times