A Florida man’s passion of allegedly pointing lasers straight at incoming plane was lately caught after a Jet Blue pilot skilled the blinding rays of a laser.
The Tampa Police Division mentioned in a press launch that 47-year-old Douglas Sollenberger allegedly pointed lasers at greater than 40 incoming flights at Tampa Worldwide Airport since Jan. 1.
Police mentioned the lasers posed a critical hazard to each pilots and passengers.
Douglas Sollenberger, 47, was seen pointing the laser on the flight, which was touchdown after midnight on Thursday morning, police mentioned. (Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Workplace)
On Thursday, a Jet Blue pilot confirmed that he had been struck by the blinding mild of a laser as he tried to land on the Tampa, Florida airport.
Authorities mentioned that regardless of the pilot’s impaired imaginative and prescient he managed to soundly land.
Whereas investigating, police pinpointed Sollenberger’s location and performed surveillance on the suspect’s house.
The Tampa Police Division mentioned that Douglas Sollenberger pointed a laser at a Jet Blue pilot. (iStock)
On Thursday, authorities performed a search warrant and located two lasers inside Sollenberger’s house, together with the one they consider was used on the Jet Blue flight.
Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw mentioned that this “could have resulted in a tragic accident.”
“These laser strikes are not only illegal but also incredibly reckless behavior that could have resulted in a tragic accident,” Bercaw mentioned. “We are grateful for the tireless efforts of our officers and the FBI in bringing this case to a close.”
The Tampa Police Division launched pictures of the lasers pointed at airplanes. (Tampa Police Division)
TPA Government Vice President of Operations John Tiliacos thanked regulation enforcement for his or her “diligent work.”
“Tampa Worldwide Airport takes each measure to make sure the safety of flight, and we depend on our total neighborhood to help us in these efforts,” TPA Government Vice President of Operations John Tiliacos mentioned. “We’re thankful to our TPD and FBI partners, whom we work very closely with, for their diligent work in protecting our aircraft, passengers, and crews. Never point a laser at an aircraft!”
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Sollenberger was charged with misuse of a laser lighting gadget and brought to the Orient Highway Jail.
