New Delhi: A laser beam directed at a passenger aircraft near Kolkata airport briefly disrupted its approach to the runway on Saturday night, raising fresh concerns over the use of laser lights near airports. The bright beam reportedly affected the pilot’s vision at a critical stage of the flight, forcing the aircraft to remain airborne before attempting to land again.
The incident involved Malaysia Airlines Flight MH-184, which was travelling from Kuala Lumpur to Kolkata with 159 passengers. The aircraft was due to arrive at around 11.20pm, but its landing was delayed after the pilot encountered the laser while approaching the airport.
Reports said the aircraft was around eight nautical miles from the runway when the pilot noticed the beam coming from the Madhyamgram-Barasat side. The sudden flash reportedly affected his vision and briefly disoriented him, making it difficult to continue with the landing as planned.
The crew subsequently kept the aircraft in the air and made another approach to the airport. The plane touched down safely at about 11.25pm, about five minutes after it was due, and everyone on board was said to be safe.
The incident was later brought to the attention of Kolkata airport authorities, who filed a complaint with the NSCBI Airport Police Station. Police are investigating the matter and are expected to look into the source of the laser and identify those responsible.
Kolkata airport director Vikram Singh said laser lights are prohibited in areas around the airport because they can interfere with aircraft operations. He also said that such incidents are reported occasionally, despite the risks they pose to flights.
The latest case has once again drawn attention to the danger posed by laser beams during aircraft operations. Pilots depend on clear vision while approaching a runway, and a powerful beam can cause glare, temporary vision problems and disorientation within seconds.
Kolkata has witnessed similar concerns during major public celebrations in the past. During Durga Puja in 2025, pilots reportedly raised objections to laser lights being used near the Sreebhumi Sporting Club pandal, after which the laser show was stopped.
The concern is not limited to temporary distraction, as an intense laser can affect a pilot’s eyesight and create an effect similar to temporary blindness. Such interference can be particularly dangerous when an aircraft is only a short distance from the runway and the crew is managing the final stages of landing.
Training aircraft incident in Maharashtra
In a separate aviation incident on Sunday, a training aircraft operated by a private company crash-landed near the Baramati airstrip in Maharashtra’s Pune district. The incident took place at around 12.30pm and police said there were no casualties.
Reports says officials are examining whether the aircraft developed a technical problem or whether another factor was responsible for the incident. A senior police officer said the investigation was underway and that it was too early to determine the exact cause.
The Baramati airstrip had earlier witnessed a fatal aircraft accident involving former Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar. In January, Pawar and four others were killed when their Learjet 45 crashed during its second attempt to land at the airstrip.