Accident of Virgin Atlantic A346

A Virgin Atlantic Airbus A340-600, registration G-VWKD performing flight VS-25 from London Heathrow,EN (UK) to New York JFK,NY (USA) with 252 passengers and 15 crew, had depared Heathrow's runway 09R and was enroute at FL360 about 170nm northnorthwest of Shannon (Ireland) about 60 minutes later when the crew declared PAN PAN PAN reporting a medical issue with one of the pilots following a laser strike after takeoff from Heathrow Airport, later adding that the laser strike had been about 6-7nm west of Heathrow Airport (editorial note: aircraft was climbing through 6000-7000 feet at that point). The crew turned around and returned to London for a safe landing on Heathrow's runway 27L about 75 minutes after turning around.

The airline reported the first officer felt unwell following the laser strike, both flight crew decided to return to Heathrow rather than continue the Atlantic crossing.

In the case of the Virgin it happened that after the laser glare to pilots hoped the co-pilot's eye glare caused by the laser, and then goes away. When it became clear that the laser longer lasting effect, they decided to turn back, completely correctly, because if a member of the staff of the vision is not fully functional, there is a serious threat.

The staff before and after the flight landing in minutes to do it very much; weak or if the laser light on the remote machine, you just as much trouble, the pilot sees a blip that diverts your attention. When you get closer to the plane of the laser, the views have been directly disrupt the fact that dirt or scratches shine up on the cockpit window because of the laser effect, and all the windows actually lights up, so he is looking window pilots do not see the airport lighting technology.

 

 

 

 

It is relatively close to the runway, but smaller laser can be created. If the aircraft approaches onward, the laser directly dazzle the pilot, consequence it cause sick of the pilotof several months, because the human eye is sensitive. If the night illuminated green laser into the pilot's eyes, you might not see for several minutes, and close to the ground if you're after vision steers the machine, it is exposed to considerable danger, in addition to the blinded pilot can not see the instruments.