A New York bound Virgin Atlantic flight was forced to turn back to London after reports that the pilot was affected by a laser pointed at the cockpit.
The Aviation Herald said the crew reported one of the pilots has been affected by a laser strike after take-off from Heathrow Airport.
Virgin said that the flight was turned around ‘as a precautionary measure due to a laser beam incident’ and police said they were investigating the incident.
"The decision was taken by both pilots to return to Heathrow rather than continue the transatlantic crossing," Virgin posted on its website.
In an earlier statement the airline said: "The safety of our crew and customers is our top priority and we apologise for any inconvenience to those onboard. All customers will be offered overnight accommodation and we will get them on their journey as soon as possible.
"We are working with the authorities to identify the source of the laser that caused the return of the aircraft to Heathrow."
Last year a British Airways pilot’s eyesight was reportedly damaged when a ‘military-strength’ laser was shone into the cockpit as he landed at London Heathrow.
Following this latest incident, UK pilots union BALPA has called on the government to classify lasers as ‘offensive weapons.’
According to LaserPointerSafety.com there have been more than 40,000 incidents involving laser pointers on both sides of the Atlantic since 2004, but this is the first time a plane has turned round and not completed its journey due to a laser strike.
