Ornge fixed wing airplanes have been struck by lasers three times in Greater Sudbury beginning on March 4, 2021. The details of the occurrences are below:

March 6, 2021
At Approximately 10:40 p.m., while descending into the Sudbury Airport with a patient, an Ornge fixed wing aircraft was struck by green and red lasers. The flight crew informed ATC and averted their eyes. The origin of the laser was reported to be from an area approximately 12 nautical miles Southwest of the airport near to the Southwest area of Ramsey Lake. Greater Sudbury Police Service have been notified and a Directed Bright Light Illumination report was filed with Transport Canada. The patient transport was completed without incident.

March 5, 2021
At approximately 11 p.m., while departing from the Sudbury Airport en route to Ornge’s Timmins base, an Ornge fixed wing airplane was struck by a green laser. The flight crew informed ATC and averted their eyes. The origin of the laser was reported to be the same approximate location as the laser strike on March 4, 2021. Greater Sudbury Police Service have been notified and a Directed Bright Light Illumination report was filed with Transport Canada. There was no patient on board.

March 4, 2021
At approximately 11:30 p.m., while in cruise flight back to Ornge’s Timmins base, an Ornge fixed wing airplane was struck by green and red lasers. The flight crew informed Air Traffic Control and averted their eyes. The origin of the laser is reported to be an area North of the airport on the Western side of Boland’s Bay on Lake Wanapitei. Greater Sudbury Police Service have been notified and a Directed Bright Light Illumination report was filed with Transport Canada. There was no patient on board.

Ornge encourages anyone who witnessed these incidents to contact the Greater Sudbury Police Service at 705-675-9171. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or at http://www.sudburycrimestoppers.com/.

Pointing lasers at aircraft can:

• Distract pilots
• Cause temporary or permanent blindness
• Create a glare in the cockpit affecting pilot vision
• Cause further injury to Ornge patients
• Distract or injure Ornge paramedic

Under the Aeronautics Act, if an individual is convicted of pointing a laser at an aircraft, they could face up to:

• $100,000 in fines
• 5 years in prison
• Or both

Anyone witnessing lasers being pointed towards aircraft can contact their local police or Transport Canada.  
 
For more information about laser strikes, feel free to visit this Laser Strike Campaign page by Transport Canada.
 

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