A Malaysia Airlines flight carrying 159 passengers was forced to delay its landing at Kolkata airport after the pilots were reportedly targeted by a powerful laser beam from the ground.
The incident involved Malaysia Airlines flight MH184, which was travelling from Kuala Lumpur to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata, India. The aircraft was approaching the airport late at night when the cockpit was illuminated by a bright light believed to have come from the ground.
According to reports from Indian media, the aircraft was around eight nautical miles from the runway when the crew noticed the laser beam coming from the direction of Madhyamgram-Barasat. The sudden light reportedly interfered with the pilot’s vision at a critical stage of the flight.
Pilot reportedly experienced temporary vision problems
The laser exposure reportedly caused the pilot to experience significant visual interference and briefly affected his ability to maintain his sense of direction. As a result, the aircraft could not proceed with its planned approach to the runway.
Rather than continuing the approach while the cockpit visibility was compromised, the crew reportedly chose to keep the aircraft in the air until the pilot’s vision had recovered. The plane subsequently circled in the area before making another approach.
The flight eventually landed safely at approximately 11.25pm, around five minutes after its scheduled landing time. All 159 passengers and members of the flight crew were reported to be safe following the incident.
Police investigate laser incident
Following the incident, Kolkata airport authorities filed a report with police at the airport’s Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport police station. An investigation has since been launched to determine where the laser originated and who was responsible for directing it towards the aircraft.
Airport director Vikram reportedly said that the use of laser lights around the airport is prohibited because of the serious risks they can pose to aircraft operations. Despite the restrictions, similar incidents are reported to occur from time to time.
Powerful laser beams can create severe glare when directed towards an aircraft cockpit. During take-off and landing, when pilots need to maintain precise visual awareness, such interference can be particularly dangerous. Depending on the strength and distance of the laser, exposure can result in temporary visual impairment, distraction and difficulty maintaining situational awareness.
The Malaysia Airlines incident therefore highlights an ongoing aviation safety concern around airports. Even a brief laser strike can force pilots to abandon or delay an approach while they regain clear vision.
Authorities are expected to continue investigating the latest incident, while airport officials have again warned against using laser devices near aircraft.
The incident did not result in injuries or damage to the aircraft, and the Malaysia Airlines flight was able to complete its journey safely.