A frightening flash of light hits the eyes of a pilot passing over McDowell County and officials are looking for the person who shined a laser at the aircraft. It happened last Tuesday in Old Fort.
The pilot radioed the FAA with ground coordinates, which placed the person with the pointer at the intersection of Old US-70 and West Orchard Road.
McDowell County 911 was contacted, but officers who responded found no one at that scene. It's now a search that amounts to finding a needle in a haystack.
"Just a laser pointed up in the sky for a brief moment, hit the plane and then went wherever. It would be about impossible to locate, but local authorities are still investigating", said McDowell County Emergency Management Deputy Director Craig Walker.
The FBI recently launched a nationwide crackdown, targeting people who point lasers at planes. Civil penalties can go as high as $30,000.00, and in criminal cases, up to five years in prison.
If you have any information in the local case, call Old Fort Police.
By Frank Kracher
Follow Frank on Twitter @FrankKracher
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