Two miles off shore of Waikiki, a US Coast Guard MH65 Dolphin was hit by a laser pointer. The pilot had to make an emergency landing at Barbers Point Air Station in Hawaii. A flight mechanic and rescue swimmer were aboard the helicopter when it had to divert back to the base.
The crew was sent to have their eyes checked and are temporarily off-duty.
It is a federal crime to aim a laser pointer at an aircraft.
What: HH-65 Dolphin helicopter
Where: off Oahu,
When: September 5, 2008
Who: four-person U.S. Coast Guard helicopter crew. 3 killed, one missing. Including Joshua Nichols’, Lt. Cmdr. Andrew Wischmeier, 44, of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., Petty Officer 1st Class David Skimin, 38, of San Bernardino, Calif.
Missing is pilot, Cmdr. Thomas Nelson, 42.
Why:helicopter went down while conducting search and rescue drills with a 47-foot motor lifeboat