A late-night medical flight over Whiteville was abruptly scrubbed Thursday after an AirLink helicopter crew reported a blue laser hitting the cockpit near the Columbus Regional helipad, officials said. With the beam reportedly tracking the aircraft for roughly a minute, the pilot turned back and returned to the hospital helipad.
According to Columbus County News, the crew said the laser, described as blue, lit up the cockpit around 11:43 p.m. and caused temporary visual impairment. No injuries were reported. Deputies searched the area and spoke with a nearby resident, but no suspects had been identified and the case remained under investigation, the outlet reported.
AirLink provides critical-care helicopter transport out of the Columbus Regional helipad, flying patients across southeastern North Carolina on frequently time-sensitive missions that land directly at hospital pads. Per Novant Health AirLink, the service operates licensed aircraft for the region and works with local hospitals on patient transfers.
Why lasers are dangerous
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) warns that pointing a laser at an aircraft can distract or temporarily blind pilots and crew, potentially forcing an aborted mission or a changed approach and creating a serious safety risk.
Federal tracking shows thousands of laser strikes are reported every year. The FAA logged more than 13,000 reports in 2023, a spike highlighted in national coverage by the AP. Authorities say quick reporting helps investigators track down the source and better protect flight crews.
What investigators are doing
Columbus County deputies told reporters they canvassed the neighborhood around the hospital helipad and interviewed residents after the AirLink crew’s report. The sheriff’s office had not named any suspects in its initial account, and officials said the case was an active investigation, according to Columbus County News.
Legal implications
Knowingly aiming a laser at an aircraft is a federal crime under 18 U.S.C. § 39A and can lead to prison time or fines. A recent Department of Justice press release describing a federal prosecution outlines how the FBI and U.S. attorneys can bring criminal charges alongside FAA or local law enforcement investigations in similar cases.
Anyone who witnessed the incident or recorded video is urged to contact Columbus County law enforcement and also submit details through the FAA’s reporting system so investigators can follow up. The FAA maintains an online Report a Laser Incident form and public guidance at FAA.
