Police investigate laser shone into cockpit of plane

A light aircraft making its descent into Dundee had a laser shone into its cockpit, police have said.

Officers said the person targeting the plane, which was carrying three passengers, was in the Methil area of Fife.

The incident, which police said "beggars belief", happened at about 20:00 on Sunday.

Although distracted, the pilot was able to land the aircraft at Dundee without incident.

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Insp Tom Brown said: "It beggars belief that someone would be so stupid as to endanger a plane and its passengers in this manner.

"There has been a lot of media coverage this week with regard to this type of behaviour and the danger it poses to the pilot and passengers.

"Our inquiries are ongoing but, through coordinates provided by the aircraft controller, we have been able to locate the area where the device was shone from."

Last month the chief pilot of the Highlands' search and rescue helicopter backed calls for tougher controls on laser pen ownership.

Cpt John MacIntyre was targeted on an emergency mission during a search over the River Ness in February.

A Virgin Atlantic flight heading to New York turned back to London Heathrow Airport after a laser beam was shone into the cockpit in the same month.