U.S. Pulls Plug on Laser Shows Above Las Vegas
The laser lights that dazzle visitors to Las Vegas flashed once too often when they temporarily blinded a Southwest Airlines pilot taking off from the airport.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, fearing a plane crash, Monday sent a letter to six of the city’s casinos banning the nightly laser light shows until further notice.
Laser lights have been blamed for 51 incidents in the last two years involving flights in and out of Las Vegas-area airports.
The temporary blinding of Southwest Airlines pilot Shelby LaCroix on Oct. 30 was the most serious incident yet. It forced the co-pilot of the Boeing 737 to take control as the plane was climbing out of McCarran International Airport.
“We must all do our parts to prevent the occurrence of a tragedy that could cost hundreds of lives,” FDA compliance official Lillian J. Gill said in the letter.
Gill said the ban affects only the Las Vegas area, which has a high concentration of the light shows.
Hotels complied immediately while holding out some hope that the laser lights could be used in a modified way.
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