Police are increasingly concerned about laser strikes on the police Eagle helicopter.
A police Eagle helicopter in Auckland (file photo). Photo: RNZ / Simon Rogers
From July 2020 to November this year there were 20 reported strikes on the chopper which is based in Auckland.
Last August a laser was pointed directly into the cockpit and the 46-year-old man responsible has been through the courts.
Tactical flight officer constable Stephen Mack was one of four people on the flight during the incident and says the lasering could have ended in tragedy.
"It's a disorientating situation, it's quite a bright, sharp light that comes through.
"Our main concern was our pilot. If he was disorientated in any way, he could have potentially lost control of the helicopter, and it only takes a few seconds for that to happen."
Mack said there were a number of other aircraft in the area at the time, given its proximity to Ardmore Airport, so it put the people aboard those planes at risk too.
"We just want to get the word out there that this sort of behaviour is really dangerous for us, and everyone else in the air."
So far this year, there have been 161 laser attack incidents on aircraft reported across the New Zealand.
Last year the Civil Aviation Authority received 143 reports of laser attack incidents, down from the 235 reported in 2019.
CAA deputy chief executive aviation safety David Harrison said pointing a laser at a plane could cause temporary blindness and affect the pilot's ability to control the plane and consequentially puts lives at risk.
Senior Sergeant Jason Lewis, officer in charge of Auckland Airport Police Station, said the intention was to prosecute every incident, "because at the end of the day you are placing many people's lives at risk, and it's appropriate people are held to account for it."
