Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol have arrested a man for striking the NSP helicopter with a laser pointer multiple times as it was in flight over the city of Lincoln.
At approximately 10:00 p.m. Friday (March 10th), NSP pilots launched from the Lincoln Airport to assist the Lincoln Police Department with an operation. Shortly after launching, while flying west of downtown Lincoln, the pilots reported a laser strike to Lincoln Air Traffic Control. While searching for the origin location of the laser, the pilots reported additional laser strikes on the helicopter. The pilots were then able to identify the source of the laser, 42 year old Lee Cimfel of Lincoln, who was walking on a path near Salt Creek, south of West O Street. The pilots directed troopers and LPD officers to his location.
Pointing a laser at an aircraft is a federal offense and any laser strike constitutes an in-flight emergency.
Nebraska State Patrol Pilot, LT. Brian Petersen told KLIN News:
“It’s is something that’s not to be taken lightly. They do have the ability to temporarily incapacitate and confuse the crew of a airliner or any air craft for that matter. Because of their overwhelming amount of light that’s reflected and refracted within the aircraft cockpit itself.”
Cimfel was found to be in possession of a laser pointer and was taken into custody without incident. He was lodged in Lancaster County Jail for second degree assault. NSP has reported the laser strike to the Federal Aviation Administration.