Laser pointed at LifeFlight helicopter in flight

A laser was pointed at anair ambulance last weekendand now the aviation unit of the Halifax Regional Police and Transport Canada are investigating.

TheEHSLifeFlighthelicopter was hiton the evening ofJune 4around 9:52 p.m., according to Canadian Helicopters Limited, which specializes in air ambulance operations.

The aircraft had left the Point Pleasant Park helipad in Halifax and was about 450 metres above the ground. There was no patient aboard.

Canadian Helicopters said in an email that the strike was first noticed while flying over Dartmouth and lasted between three and five seconds. Investigators think it may have originated from the north end of Halifax.

"It's very serious. It's dangerous for the pilot of the helicopter to have a laser pointed at them ...And it is against the law,"said Const. Carol McIsaac, public information officer with Halifax Regional Police.

Fines and prison time

Transport Canada says lasers distract the pilot, creates flare that affects his or her vision, and causes temporary blindness.Under the Aeronautics Act, if caught and convicted, a person could be fined up to $100,000 or spend up to five years in prison or both.

In this instance, the laser beam did not make contact with the pilots' eyes and the aircraft was able to make it to its final destination.

In May, Transport Canada launched a social media campaign aimed at stopping peoplefrom shining lasers at aircraft. The federal department noted there were almost 600 reported incidents across Canada in 2015.