LASER Airlines flight QL-941 had to return and make an emergency landing in Maracaibo, Venezuela, on April 23rd.
The plane took off for Caracas, Venezuela, but had to turn back after the crew needed to shut down one of the engines.
The plane landed safely. All passengers and crew members remained unharmed.
Virgin Atlantic flight VS-25 had to return and make an emergency landing at Heathrow Airport in London, United Kingdom, on February 14.
The Airbus A340-600 took off for John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, but had to return shortly afterwards after the first officer became sick due to a laser strike.
The plane landed safely. There were 252 passengers and 15 crew members aboard at the time; all of them remained injured.
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: Jet Blue en route from Syracuse to NYC, Kennedy Airport
Where: Long Island
When: July 15, 2012
Who: pilot
Why: The flight was on approach to Kennedy when a laser struck the first officer in the eye. The jet made a safe landing, but the pilot suffered an eye injury. The green laser pointed directly into the cockpit and flashed twice when the jet was at 5,000 feet. First Officer Robert Pemberton was taken to Jamaica Hospital.
The FBI and the FAA are investigating. The source appears to be from West Islip, Babylon or Lindenhurst.
What: Avianova Airbus A320 en route to Rostov
Where: Kuban region, Russia
When: June 3, 2011
Why: Pilots were approaching Rostov airport at (altitude) 300-400 meters when a green laser blinded one of the members of the flight crew.
The pilots managed to make a safe landing, then reported the laser situation.
A Boeing 737 jet on final approach to LAX at 7:05 p.m. reported a green laser. The location was tracked down, and a 14-year-old boy was arrested after pointed a powerful laser from his backyard.
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
