January 3, 2005
Associated Press Writer
Fox News
TRENTON, N.J. — Federal officials are investigating an incident in which a laser beam was aimed at a jet after it left Nashville International Airport (search) bound for Chicago.
Pilots of a United Airlines (search) flight heading to Chicago's O'Hare International Airport on Sunday reported seeing a green laser beam shortly after takeoff, said United spokeswoman Robin Urbanski.
The flight, which had about 30 people on board, landed safely in Chicago.
The FBI said it's investigating the incident along with the Transportation Security Administration (search) and the Federal Aviation Administration (search).
Federal agents are looking into similar incidents involving lasers and aircraft, including cases in Cleveland; Washington, D.C.; Houston; Colorado Springs, Colo.; Medford, Ore.; and Teterboro, N.J.
Laser beams can temporarily blind or disorient pilots and possibly cause a plane to crash. Federal law enforcement officials have said there is no evidence of a terrorist plot involving the laser beams.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,143144,00.html