Auckland man charged after laser allegedly aimed at police helicopter
Police say a laser struck their Eagle helicopter over Mount Eden in several bursts. A 28-year-old man is due in court on October 27.
An Auckland man has been charged with interfering with an aircraft after police said a laser was aimed at their Eagle helicopter over Mount Eden at about 2:50am on October 20. The 28-year-old is due to appear in Auckland District Court on October 27. Police said the alleged conduct put the crew and public at risk.
What police say happened over Mount Eden
Acting Senior Sergeant Christian Iogha said the helicopter crew noticed a laser directed at the aircraft in several bursts. One lasted almost 30 seconds, according to 1News; the NZ Herald described the longest strike as 30 seconds. Police have described the incident as alleged conduct, and the charge has yet to be heard in court.
Iogha said officers spotted a man shining the light from a house and moving between windows as the helicopter changed position. He said the aircraft鈥檚 onboard technology identified the property, allowing police to take a man into custody without incident. The charge was laid under the Civil Aviation Act 2023.
1News reported that flight-tracking data showed the helicopter making several loops over Sandringham, Mount Roskill and Three Kings around the time of the incident. Those movements provide context for the police account of a man following the aircraft between windows; the tracking data does not identify who directed the light.
Why laser strikes put aircraft crews at risk
Iogha said the helicopter crew was working to protect the community and that this kind of behaviour puts everyone at risk. His warning concerned the danger posed by a laser aimed at an aircraft; the reports do not establish that any crew member was injured or that the helicopter was damaged.
According to Civil Aviation Authority information reported by 1News, laser strikes can cause momentary flash blindness and leave after-images in a pilot鈥檚 vision after the beam moves away. The authority said high-powered laser pointers can dazzle pilots from several kilometres away, while the most severe incidents can cause prolonged eye injury.
The authority also said laser strikes on aircraft, particularly at night, have trended upward since portable laser pointers became freely available. In this case, the immediate next step is the man鈥檚 scheduled October 27 appearance in Auckland District Court, where the allegation will enter the court process.
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Sources and context
- Public put at risk: Man charged after laser aimed at police helicopterNZ Herald
- Man allegedly switched windows to keep laser on police helicopter1News
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.