A man found in Rivervale has been charged after commercial plane and police helicopter pilots were blinded by a laser on January 20.
A man found in Rivervale has been charged after commercial plane and police helicopter pilots were blinded by a laser on January 20.
By Holly Thompson
February 18, 2025 — 9.50am
A 52-year-old man has been charged by police after he allegedly blinded commercial pilots with a laser as they attempted to land at Perth International Airport.
On January 20 at 12.50am, WA Police received reports from the pilots that the laser was interfering with their operational safety and navigational capacity.
The Western Australia Police Force helicopter (PolAir) began a search of the area around the airport.
A laser was then pointed directly into the helicopter’s cabin, causing disorientation and stress to the three officers inside.
Over eight minutes, the laser was pointed into the helicopter cabin four times. Recording equipment and Forward Looking Infrared technology was used to find the person responsible.
PolAir allegedly captured the 52-year-old using the laser on video at a home around 4.5 kilometres away from the airport runway in Rivervale.
They directed police officers on the ground to the man’s location and officers found him in the rear yard with the laser allegedly used against the pilots.
During a search of the home, it will be alleged police also located and seized a cross bow with 11 arrows.
The man has been charged with causing fear or alarm with a laser or light to people in conveyances of others, carried or possessing a prohibited weapon and possessing a controlled weapon.
He will appear before the Perth Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
In 2024, a 44-year-old man in Warnbro was also arrested for allegedly shining a laser at PolAir in a similar case which also blinded the pilots.
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Holly Thompson is a journalist with WAtoday, specialising in education.Connect via Twitter or email.
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