Laser attack on a passenger plane: Police are looking for witnesses in the Kehl area

Laser attack on a passenger plane: Police are looking for witnesses in the Kehl area

on Wednesday evening, during a routine landing of the passenger machine on the Baden Airpark, a dangerous situation was triggered by unknown persons. Pilots and crew of the machine, which was occupied by over 180 passengers, were attacked twice with a laser beam twice during the approach. Such incidents, which are often referred to as "laser beam attacks", are a serious risk of aviation.

The first attack occurred at 10:38 p.m., followed by a second incident just a few minutes later, in the course of which the co-pilot was able to make some video recordings. These recordings could possibly help to determine the origin of the laser beam, which is supposed to come from the area of the Neumühl area in Kehl. Thanks to these findings, the police could obtain valuable information on the persecution of the perpetrators.

consequences of a laser beam attack

"Such an irresponsible behavior carries a high risk," said the police report. Incidents of this nature can lead to serious consequences, not only for the people concerned on the plane, but also for the entire aviation industry. The threat of punishment for a dangerous intervention in air traffic is considerable; It ranges from six months to ten years in prison. The laws are designed to punish such behavior and to ensure the security in air traffic.

The police have contacted the public and asks for the help of clarifying the incidents. Witnesses who can provide relevant information on the attacks at 10:38 p.m. and 10.49 p.m. are called to report on 07229/3 01 80. This type of public call is crucial to ensure security in aviation and to hold potential perpetrators.

The importance of security in air traffic

This incident underlines the urgency of air traffic measures. In recent years there have been reports on laser beam attacks on aircraft that can lead to dangerous situations. Although the effects did not lead to an injury in this special case, it remains a serious matter for airlines and airlines.

increased sensitization for the dangers that represent such attacks should also be created in public. Many people are not aware of the potential dangers that can arise from laser rays. Pilots are trained to deal with such threats, but cooperation between the entire society is necessary in order to maintain aviation. Things in everyday life that may seem harmless for some can develop into a serious threat in the wrong context. Awareness of this can make a decisive contribution to preventing such incidents in the future.

The incident around Baden Airpark is not only a memory of the challenges that the aviation industry must continue to cope with, but also a call to the civilian population to become aware of their responsibility. Everyone should help to ensure security in the air.

In recent years, cases of laser attacks have risen on pilots on the landing at airports worldwide. The risk from laser rays is not only a legal matter, but also has serious security implications. In Germany this is a relatively new phenomenon, but such incidents are documented internationally. In 2020, the U.S. Air Travel Agency FAA reported more than 6,000 incidents with laser blessings, which is a worrying increase compared to previous years.

joint security measures

In order to ensure the security of pilots and passengers, aviation authorities and police authorities have developed various strategies to prevent such incidents. These include enlightened public campaigns that raise awareness of the dangers of laser beams in air traffic. Technical measures for the detection and localization of laser sources are also improved.

In Germany, airlines and the police generally have close cooperation in order to be able to react quickly to such incidents. Passenger planes are also equipped with special light filter systems that should support in the case of a laser attack.

legal framework conditions

The legal consequences for people who focus on laser beams on aircraft are significant. In Germany, the Air Traffic Act expressly provides punishment for dangerous interventions in air traffic. These can range from fines to several years of prison, depending on the severity of the offense. In addition, civil law claims against the perpetrators can be asserted, especially if their actions have caused a danger to the life and lives of other people.

The enlightenment and conviction of such acts are of high priority for the police. The results of the investigation from incidents such as that in Rheinmünster are crucial to create precedent and tighten the punishments for perpetrators. This should not only pursue the specific case, but also serve as a deterrent measure.