Chesterfield Man Arrested for Blinding VSP Trooper-Pilot with Laser Light A Chesterfield County resident is currently facing a misdemeanor charge after pointing a laser into the night sky and striking a state police airplane. Shortly before 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 27, Aviation Trooper Adam Culbertson was flying near Courthouse Road and the Powhite Parkway when the cockpit of the Cessna 182 was illuminated by a bright green laser light. After striking his eyes and temporarily causing eye-pain, Culbertson had to involuntarily close his eyes. Culbertson was able to radio to the Division I Richmond State Police Dispatch Center for assistance from troopers in the area in locating the origin of the laser light. While making several passes through the area in an attempt to locate the lasers origin, the Cessna’s cockpit was once again illuminated by the laser light. Approximately 45 minutes into the search, the origin of the laser was located in the 1700 block of Westbury Ridge Drive in Midlothian. Troopers located the suspect at his residence who was actively pointing the laser into the sky. After conducting their investigation, state police charged Matthew L. Farr, 20, with Interfering with the operation of an aircraft. The Federal Aviation Administration was contacted about the arrest and the on-going state police investigation. *According to the Federal Aviation Administration nationwide in 2012, there were 3,482 laser incidents. Aiming a laser at an aircraft is a serious safety risk and violates state and federal law. Many high-powered lasers can completely incapacitate pilots who are trying to fly safely to their destinations and may be carrying hundreds of passengers. For further information on reporting incidents, go to faa.gov/aircraft/safety/report/laserinfo.
Posted on: Wed, 31 Jul 2013 17:21:36 +0000
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