Fort Morgan Flight For Life Helicopter Threatened by Laser

It may seem harmless, but pointing a laser at an aircraft can lead to disaster for that aircraft and all on board, and can land the offender in serious trouble.

On Thursday, July 10^th, a Lifeguard 6 Flight For Life helicopter was about to land at CommonSpirit St. Elizabeth Hospital in Fort Morgan when a blue laser lit up the cabin of the aircraft for several seconds in three quick bursts. The laser light seemed to come from an area southeast of the hospital. There are different colors of lasers available to the public, including green, red, and blue. The blue lasers are the most powerful of the types available to the public, as they are often used for industrial settings.

The Program Director for Flight For Life, Kathleen Mayer said in an interview that ‘laser strikes put everyone at risk… if the pilot can’t see clearly, the aircraft is compromised.’ Visibility is everything, especially when the pilot is landing the aircraft. There are penalties at the state and federal levels, as these incidents are taken very seriously. On February 14, 2012, Public Law 112-95 was signed into law as the ‘FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012’. Section 311 amended Title 18 of the United States Code, Chapter 2, section 39, by adding 39A, which makes it a federal crime to aim a laser pointer at an aircraft. If you’re charged on the federal level, you can receive 5 years in prison and face fines up to $250,000. The State of Colorado passed a law in 2023, making it a Class 6 felony as well. You can get up to 18 months in jail, with a fine of up to $100,000.

Many years ago, a man pointed a red laser at the traffic helicopter in Denver one early morning. Because that chopper was equipped with cameras that caught the offense in real time, the pilot contacted local law enforcement, and within minutes, the police apprehended the suspect. That incident turned out to be an innocent mistake by a citizen, but it emphasized how seriously laser strikes like this are taken.

Anyone who provides information about these incidents can receive a $10,000 reward, according to the FBI.