Laser beam shone into cockpit of flight landing in Halifax

RCMP are investigating after a green laser light was pointed at the cockpit of a passenger jet landing in Halifax last week.

The incident involved a West Jet Boeing 737 and occurred shortly before midnight June 19 as the plane approached a runway over the Sackville area.

The plane was about 11 kilometres from Halifax Stanfield International Airport when the crew said the cockpit was hit with a laser.

"This is very dangerous. If caught, they will be charged accordingly," said Halifax RCMP Cpl. Scott MacRae.

In 2010,several airlines flying in Nova Scotia reported incidents in which laser beams were shone into airplane cockpitsas flights were taking off or landing.

Transport Canada is also investigating the incident.

The penalty for aiming a laser into a cockpit is $100,000, five years in prison or both under the Aeronautics Act, says Transport Canada's website.