Kolkata: A Malaysia Airlines flight from Kuala Lumpur faced trouble while landing at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International (NSCBI) Airport in Kolkata on Saturday night after the pilot was distracted by a laser beam.
The flight, identified as MH-184, carrying 159 passengers, was scheduled to land at 11.20 pm, but when the aircraft was approximately eight nautical miles from the runway, the pilot reportedly noticed a bright laser beam flashing towards the cockpit from the Madhyamgram-Barasat side, airport sources told PTI on Sunday.
The aircraft could not land at the first attempt as the sudden laser flash affected the pilot’s vision, momentarily disorienting him. It had to circle in the sky before making another approach. The flight landed around 11.25 pm and all passengers and crew were safe, the sources said.
The airline informed airport authorities about the incident, following which a complaint was lodged at the NSCBI Airport Police Station.
The use of laser lights around the airport is prohibited, but such incidents occur occasionally and can potentially affect aircraft operations, Kolkata airport director Vikram Singh said.
The matter has been brought to the notice of police authorities, who are investigating the case, he added.
Intense laser beams can temporarily impair a pilot’s vision, causing distraction and even temporary blindness-like effects, posing a risk during the critical stages of take-off and landing that have to be performed manually. This poses a threat to the aircraft and passengers.
In the past, pilots have complained about laser beams affecting their vision during take-offs and landings.
A laser show near the Sreebhumi Sporting Club pandal, close to the airport, reportedly caused concern among pilots, during the Durga Puja festival in 2025. The laser show was subsequently stopped.