California man charged with pointing laser into airplane cockpits

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 5 (UPI) -- A 27-year-old California man was arrested after allegedly pointing a laser light into the cockpit of a commercial airliner and later into a police airplane that was searching for the offending light.

A commercial pilot told authorities a "powerful green laser light" was shined into the cockpit, causing temporary blindness, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said. The Lancaster Sheriff's Office sent up a fixed-wing airplane to search for the light only to have it shined on its pilots.

"Almost immediately, the cockpit of the (Lancaster Sheriff's Office) airplane was illuminated several times with the powerful light, causing distraction and temporary visual impairment to the pilot," the Los Angeles Sheriff's Office said.

Cory Lien was arrested on charges of discharging a laser at an aircraft and is being held on $25,000 bail. Investigators said they found a high-powered laser device at the scene.

The Federal Aviation Administration considers laser lights dangerous to pilots and passengers. Those caught using a laser aimed at a plane can face up to five years in prison per incident and a $250,000 fine. In Los Angeles, deputies have arrested nearly two dozen people on laser-related offenses since 2010.

In July, dozens of commercial pilots reported lasers in the New York area. Again in August, a dozen pilots in New Jersey reported the same. No one was ever caught.