Laser strike forces Malaysia Airlines pilot to circle before landing at Kolkata airport
A Malaysia Airlines flight carrying 159 passengers was forced to circle Kolkata airport after a laser beam struck the cockpit during approach, briefly disorienting the pilot. Police are investigating the incident, which highlights a growing aviation safety concern.
Laser strike forces Malaysia Airlines pilot to circle before landing at Kolkata airport
A Malaysia Airlines flight was forced to circle before landing at Kolkata airport on Saturday night after a laser beam struck the cockpit, temporarily disorienting the pilot during a critical phase of flight.
Flight MH-184 from Kuala Lumpur, carrying 159 passengers, was approximately eight nautical miles from the runway when the pilot noticed a bright flash from the Madhyamgram-Barasat direction at around 11:20pm local time. The pilot circled the aircraft before successfully landing at 11:25pm. All passengers and crew members were unharmed.
The incident occurred during the approach phase, when aircraft are particularly vulnerable to such interference. According to international aviation data, the majority of laser strikes happen at low altitudes when pilots are engaged in take-off or landing procedures, with over 9,652 incidents recorded below 10,000 feet in the United States alone during 2023.
Investigation underway
Malaysia Airlines reported the incident to airport authorities, who filed a complaint with the NSCBI Airport Police Station. An investigation is currently underway to identify the source of the laser beam.
Kolkata airport director Vikram Singh acknowledged that while laser lights are prohibited around airports, such incidents occur periodically and pose risks to flight operations. Air Traffic Control protocols classify laser illumination incidents as in-flight emergencies until the aircrew confirms otherwise, reflecting the severity with which aviation authorities treat these events.
Part of a national and global pattern
This incident is not isolated. India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation flagged laser beam interference as an emerging safety issue in its National Aviation Safety Plan for 2018-2022, documenting 39 cases at major cities including Delhi and Mumbai during landing and take-off operations.
The Airports Authority of India has directed airport operators and air traffic services providers to immediately report unauthorized laser illumination incidents and forward information to local administration and municipal authorities for appropriate action.
Kolkata has experienced similar problems before. Pilots previously raised concerns during the 2025 Durga Puja celebrations over laser beams near the Sreebhumi Sporting Club pandal, resulting in the laser show being stopped.
Globally, laser strikes on aircraft have escalated dramatically. Pilots in the United States reported 13,304 laser strike incidents to the Federal Aviation Administration in 2023, representing a 41% increase from 2022 and a staggering 468% rise since record-keeping began in 2010. Worldwide, pilots in eight countries have reported over 137,000 laser illuminations since 2004.
Understanding the danger
Laser beams can temporarily impair a pilot's vision during critical flight phases. They can cause glare, flash blindness, or after-images that interfere with a pilot's ability to read instruments, particularly when green lasers are used, as they appear brighter to the human eye and scatter more visibly in haze and pollution.
The seriousness of these offenses is reflected in international penalties. In the United States, violators face civil fines of up to $11,000 per violation and up to $30,800 for multiple incidents, in addition to federal criminal penalties of up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Flight MH-184 operates multiple times per week on the Kuala Lumpur to Kolkata route, covering approximately 2,635 kilometers in about four hours and five minutes.
