Lasers pointed at planes near Fort Wayne airport

FORT WAYNE, Ind. — Authorities in Fort Wayne are watching for whoever has been pointing a laser at planes coming in for landings at the city’s airport.

Two pilots reported a green laser was aimed at their aircrafts Wednesday as they approached Fort Wayne International Airport.

The Journal Gazette reports one pilot says the green laser was large and concentrated on his plane for a prolonged period.

A police officer later saw another beam toward a plane coming from that area about 2 miles northeast of the airport but couldn’t locate the source.

Such beams can temporarily blind pilots and pointing lasers at planes is against federal law.

Scott Hinderman of the Fort Wayne airport authority says even if people think they are just trying out a new toy, the practice is dangerous.