An Air Carrier Captain reported that while over West Santa Clara Valley on the SJC Runway 30 Fairgrounds Visual he and the First Officer were hit by an intense green laser which originated somewhere west of the airport. Both pilots reported visual impairment requiring medical attention.
Synopsis
An Air Carrier Captain reported that while over West Santa Clara Valley on the SJC Runway 30 Fairgrounds Visual he and the First Officer were hit by an intense green laser which originated somewhere west of the airport. Both pilots reported visual impairment requiring medical attention.
Narrative
Arriving SJC we were flying the base turn on the Fairgrounds visual when we received 3-4 rapid high intensity green laser hits in the cockpit at 9-10 o'clock low around Winchester and the 85 freeway or Saratoga and the 85. It was a large boulevard that crossed the 85 perpendicular. NCT and Tower were notified and NCT should have marked our latitude/longitude since I made an immediate report of the event. Both myself (Captain) in left seat and First Officer flying in right seat got exposed to the laser. Aircraft landed uneventfully; although distractions were evident during landing phase. On taxi-in I (Captain) experienced heat feeling in left eye. First Officer experienced the same and also had ghosting and light sensitivity. We notified San Jose Police Department and made a report. We also went to a hospital and saw the ER doctor who gave us a limited eye exam. The First Officer [was] still experiencing light sensitivity in the morning. Both of us will go to an Ophthalmologist to have a full exam performed. [We were] unable to report to duty today pending eye exams [and] visual confirmation. [These are] home grown domestic terrorist that enjoy threatening the safety of flight of aircraft with a high intensity green laser. SJC has the 5th most laser events in the US. Police Officer said they have been trying to get this individual and have had numerous prior reports; even the sheriff's helicopter has been lasered. No luck apprehending the suspect as of yet. [We] looked away from source immediately. Outlawing of the sale of high intensity (eye damaging) lasers online and retail [would be a solution to the problem; as well as] better detection and apprehension of suspects involved. Also; possible use of laser glasses for crew in high probability airports like the military has. With such a random event it would be hard for crews to always wear the glasses though.
NASA callback
The Reporter stated that his aircraft was near the Campbell and West San Jose area when this happened. He stated that he had no long lasting effects from this laser event but his First Officer was off work about two weeks and using an eye medication because of the laser encounter. The FAA and Homeland security were both investigating this event because they believe that the person responsible has lasered other aircraft from the same neighborhood in West Santa Clara Valley.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.