RCMP issue warning after green laser pointed at plane northwest of Edmonton

A pilot bound for the Villeneuve Airport northwest of Edmonton was able to navigate a safe landing after a green laser was pointed at the plane Wednesday night.

The aircraft was flying somewhere over Sturgeon County when the pilot realized someone was pointing a green laser at the plane,Morinville RCMP said in a statement.

RCMPsaid it's extremely fortunate that no one was hurt. Laserstrikes on an aircraft are extremely dangerous, police said.

"The laser can temporarily blind the pilot, create intense glare that affects the pilot's vision and distract the pilot, putting all people aboard the aircraft at serious risk."

• Man charged after laser pointed at Edmonton police helicopter

RCMPwere notified of the incident byNavCanada, the private operator of Canada's civil air navigation service.

Police did not provide anydetails on the plane, how many passengers were on board, or if the pilot required medical attention.

'It's a disturbing statistic'

Last year, the federal government launched a social media campaign focusedon the issue of people pointing lasers at planes.

The number of laser incidents reported to Transport Canada has increased in the last few years: In 2014, there were 502 so-called laser strike incidents on planes, a 43-per-cent increase since 2012.

• Social media campaign to target laser pointer strikes on planes

According to Transport Canada, there were more than 500 reported laser strikes in 2016.

"It's a disturbing statistic," RCMP said."It means the safety of pilots, crew and passengers were put at risk 500 times that year. Pointing a laser at an aircraft is illegal and a criminal offence."

• WestJetpilot seeks medical attention after laser strike

The punishment for anyone caught shining a laser at an aircraft is a fine of up to $100,000, five years in prison, or both.

RCMP are asking anyone with information on the incident to contact the Morinville detachment or Crime Stoppers.