What happened
On 5 September 2015, a Boeing 737-8AS, registration EI-FIH, was conducting a scheduled commercial flight from Lille, France, to Porto, Portugal. As the aircraft was performing a non-precision approach to runway 35, the crew encountered significant interference from a laser light originating from the Porto city center.
During the base leg of the approach, the pilot flying noticed a green laser in the vicinity but did not alert the commander, as the light initially appeared to be directed away from the aircraft. However, as the aircraft established on the final approach track, a laser beam struck the cockpit. The pilot flying raised a hand to shield his eyes, while the commander, acting as the pilot monitoring, looked up and was struck directly in both eyes by the light. This exposure resulted in temporary flashblindness for the commander.
Because of the visual impairment and the simultaneous distraction of an air traffic control instruction, the standard flight crew coordination was disrupted. The required 'Approaching Descent' call was missed, causing the aircraft to level off prematurely at 3,000 feet. As the crew attempted to correct the profile, the aircraft's speed and descent rate increased, leading to an unstable approach. Consequently, the crew initiated a go-around at approximately 900 feet. The aircraft subsequently landed safely on runway 17 without further incident, and there were no injuries to the 160 passengers or 6 crew members.
The investigation
The AAIU investigation focused on the sequence of events leading to the unstable approach and the impact of the laser illumination. Investigators reviewed flight data monitoring, interviewed both pilots, and examined the cockpit environment. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft's navigation aids were fully functional and that the crew followed established procedures as closely as possible given the circumstances. The inquiry also examined the legal framework regarding laser interference in Portugal at the time of the event.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was laser illumination of the cockpit, which induced temporary flashblindness in the commander during a critical phase of the approach.
- The pilot flying did not communicate the initial sighting of laser activity to the commander, which could have increased situational awareness.
- The disruption of standard callouts led to a failure to maintain the correct descent profile, resulting in an unstable approach.
- At the time of the occurrence, there was no specific legislation in Portugal making the intentional illumination of aircraft with a laser a criminal offense.
Safety action
- The AAIU issued a safety recommendation to the Portuguese Civil Aviation Authority (ANAC) to review existing legislation regarding the deliberate or reckless use of laser lights to illuminate aircraft or personnel.