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On approach to hou at about 700 feet; flight crew was struck by a green laser light flash. They were able to continue the approach and landed.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 1227427 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201412 |
| Local Time Of Day | 1801-2400 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | HOU.Airport |
| State Reference | TX |
| Environment | |
| Flight Conditions | VMC |
| Light | Night |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | Large Transport |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 121 |
| Flight Phase | Final Approach |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Captain |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) |
| Experience | Flight Crew Last 90 Days 216 Flight Crew Type 12600 |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Illness Inflight Event / Encounter Other / Unknown |
Narrative:
There were no deviations; and no flight crew errors. This is being reported solely for safety reason. An industrial strength type bright pulse green laser struck my cockpit during descent in to houston hobby airport; runway 4; on final approach; during VMC night flying condition; with no moon sky (pitch black); at about 700 feet MSL. Approximately two sudden intense pulses of green laser temporarily struck both of my eyes; causing a flash blindness for an instant; with an imprint of an afterimage in my right eye (leaving temporary spots). The laser was a distraction and startled both pilots. The light burst did interfere with my vision; and both pilots immediately confirmed the experience to be that of a green laser. We both confirmed we were apparently okay to continue the approach; but immediately the pm radioed the tower to report being struck by a green laser; and its approximate location to our flight. Shortly after landing; the tower controller reported before my flight; they had three reported incidents of laser sightings in the last hour; and that the authorities were trying to locate the person responsible. Once at the gate I sent dispatch an ACARS report of the incident; then telephoned my dispatcher to speak to a supervisor; as I was experiencing a burning sensation in my right eye. The supervisor elected to hand me off to the chief pilot on call; who decided on his own; based on my description of the event; the safer course of action was to pull me from further flying; because of an on the job eye injury. There were no deviations; and no flight crew errors. If there were three reported laser incidents leading up to the one I experienced; by the same facility then why wasn't there a PIREP report for the reports? Why was it not on the ATIS? Why was it not mentioned by the controller? Why did my dispatcher not advise this flight?
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: On approach to HOU at about 700 feet; flight crew was struck by a green laser light flash. They were able to continue the approach and landed.
Narrative: There were no deviations; and no Flight Crew errors. This is being reported solely for safety reason. An industrial strength type BRIGHT PULSE green laser struck my cockpit during descent in to Houston Hobby airport; Runway 4; on Final Approach; during VMC Night flying condition; with no moon sky (pitch black); at about 700 feet MSL. Approximately two sudden intense pulses of green laser temporarily struck both of my eyes; causing a flash blindness for an instant; with an imprint of an afterimage in my right eye (leaving temporary spots). The laser was a distraction and startled both Pilots. The light burst did interfere with my vision; and both Pilots immediately confirmed the experience to be that of a green laser. We both confirmed we were apparently okay to continue the Approach; but immediately the PM radioed the Tower to report being struck by a green laser; and its approximate location to our flight. Shortly after landing; the Tower Controller reported before my flight; they had three reported incidents of laser sightings in the last hour; and that the authorities were trying to locate the person responsible. Once at the gate I sent Dispatch an ACARS report of the incident; then telephoned my Dispatcher to speak to a supervisor; as I was experiencing a burning sensation in my right eye. The supervisor elected to hand me off to the Chief Pilot on Call; who decided on his own; based on my description of the event; the safer course of action was to pull me from further flying; because of an on the job eye injury. There were no deviations; and no Flight Crew errors. If there were three reported laser incidents leading up to the one I experienced; by the same facility then why wasn't there a PIREP report for the reports? Why was it not on the ATIS? Why was it not mentioned by the Controller? Why did my Dispatcher not advise this flight?
Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.