Two Jets Hit by Lasers on Approach to Salt Lake City

Two jets were struck by a laser beam near Salt Lake City Airport

Two jets on approach to Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC), one a Southwest Airlines flight, were hit by a green laser beam last Thursday according to Utah Police.

The first of two incidents, which occurred on the evening of May 10th, struck the cockpit of aSouthwest Airlines 737 as it was on final approach to Salt Lake.

Transmission between Southwest Flight 345 and the tower:

‘Pilot: “Southwest 345…”
Air traffic controller: “Southwest 345 go sir.”
Pilot: “Yeah, we just had a laser strike ….a continuing laser strike at our 9 o’clock, at about two miles. It’s a green laser.”

“Pilot: “Looks like he’s trying to strike us pretty good.”‘

Five minutes later, a green laser hit a Lear jet.

‘Air traffic controller: “The previous aircraft inbound about 8 miles ahead of you had a laser event. Did you happen to see anything

Pilot: “We just saw it off the left.”‘

Both flights landed safely but officials said the laser briefly “took out” cockpit visibility.

No one has yet been caught.

Pointing a laser at an aircraft is a federal crime and carries a possible $250,000 fine and up to 20 years in prison if there is a conviction.