Laser Pointers Forcing Coast Guard Pilots To Land

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Two Coast Guard helicopters have been forced to land in the past week after the pilots were flashed with laser pointers.

A laser was aimed at a Coast Guard chopper flying over a popular beach Thursday night, forcing the pilot to make a precautionary landing at the Los Angeles International Airport.

Another Coast Guard helicopter had to land Tuesday after being flashed with a laser during a patrol near the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.

Coast Guard spokesman Petty Officer Adam Eggers said the pilots were temporarily grounded as doctors checked their eyesight.

The Federal Aviation Administration has logged 63 laser incidents around LAX this year. Nationally, the FAA has received over 1,520 reports of laser strikes this year -- up from 300 in 2005.

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