An upstate 15-year-old boy forced a New York State Police chopper to make quick emergency maneuvers over Buffalo when the youth shined a green laser into the pilots’ eyes that could’ve sparked a mid-air disaster, authorities revealed Thursday.
The targeted helicopter fled from the area when the beam repeatedly hit the operators in the face sometime around 8:15 p.m., state police said.
The pilots’ night goggles could not protect them from the laser and they were forced to abruptly change direction so they would not be blinded as they flew near Ashley and Person streets, according to state police.
The beam caused spotting in the officers’ vision that was bad enough they couldn’t see their gauges, though they had no permanent harm.
The Buffalo boy was arrested and charged Wednesday with first-degree directing a laser at an aircraft – a felony.
The 15-year-old was issued an appearance ticket for Family Court and referred to Erie County Probation, police said.
“New York State Police stress shining a laser at an aircraft is dangerous, potentially causing temporary blindness, disorientation to pilots, risking collisions and putting the community in jeopardy,” state police said in a statement.
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