An Airbus A321 passenger aircraft belonging to Pegasus Airlines, preparing to land at Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport, was targeted with a green laser beam by unknown individuals. The incident posed a serious threat to flight safety, prompting an immediate response from security units after the pilots quickly reported it.
Incident Detected Between Maltepe and Kartal
During the landing approach, the Pegasus pilot reported the incident to air traffic control via radio with the following message:
“We’ve been hit by a laser. Between Maltepe and Kartal, a green laser, it was on our left.”
Upon receiving this report, air traffic controllers immediately relayed the information to the relevant security units. Authorities have launched an investigation into the area where the incident occurred.
₺131,000 Fine for Laser Offenders!
According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), severe penalties are in place for using laser beams that threaten flight safety. A regulation published by the DGCA states that individuals engaging in such acts are subject to an administrative fine of ₺131,176.
Similar incidents also carry serious consequences internationally. For instance, in the United States, an individual who targeted a Delta Airlines aircraft with a laser was sentenced to prison.
A Critical Threat to Aviation Safety
Experts warn that shining a laser into a cockpit during flight—especially during night operations—can temporarily impair a pilot’s vision and potentially cause accidents during critical phases like landing and take-off. For this reason, a zero-tolerance policy is enforced against such acts.
Aviation safety experts make their position clear:
“Pointing a laser at an aircraft is not just a crime—it’s sabotage that endangers dozens of lives.”
Investigation Ongoing
Security forces are continuing their efforts to investigate the residential areas and high-rise buildings along the route where the incident occurred. The goal is to identify the perpetrator(s) using camera footage and eyewitness statements.