EXCLUSIVE: Gardai have launched a manhunt after a pilot was forced to abandon a landing in snow and then land after a laser was shone at his plane at Carrickfin Airport.
The pilot was attempting to land the flight last night (SUN) in poor weather conditions when the terrifying incident happened.
The pilot was left dazzled but managed to land the plane.
The pilot had originally been forced to circle the area several times before making a successful landing.
The incident has been reported to the Gardai who are carrying out a full investigation.
Loganair chief operating officer Phil Preston confirmed to Donegal Daily that the incident took place during poor weather conditions.
“Flight BE6976 was en route from Dublin, with 18 passengers and three crew on board, at the time of the incident around 20.20 on Sunday night.
“The laser was observed by the flight crew as it approached Donegal, and they reported it to air traffic control, who passed on the information to the Garda.
“The incident took place during a critical phase of flight when pilots are completing pre-landing checks and monitoring weather conditions, which were poor at the time with snow showers.
“This was the second attempt at landing, and it was completed despite the laser targeting of the aircraft.”
The spokesman for the Scottish airline said they have encountered such problems before and people have been brought before the courts.
“We have had a number of such incidents in Scotland, and we always work closely with air traffic control and the police to pinpoint the source of the laser beams.
“Successful prosecutions have been brought for a number of similar offences and we will support every effort to identify and prosecute offenders in this latest incident.”
A spokesman for the Garda Press Office confirmed that Gardai at Bunbeg are carrying out an investigation.
Nobody was injured during the incident.
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