Saratoga Springs Man Charged for Alleged Laser Strike on Aircraft

Laser Pointed at Police Helicopter

A Saratoga Springs man is facing a felony charge after New York State Police say he intentionally pointed a laser at a police helicopter during a nighttime training mission.

And it blows my mind that he thought this "prank" would go unnoticed.

According to investigators, the incident occurred after 10 PM on June 11th, while a State Police Airbus H145D3 helicopter was conducting night training over Saratoga Springs, when a laser beam struck the aircraft.

Troopers say the laser caused temporary visual disturbance for the pilot and crew and forced them to alter their intended flight path.

Police Were Able to Trace the Laser

The investigation traced the laser to the Louden Road area, and police allege that 20-year-old Daymian S. Massago intentionally directed the beam at the helicopter.

He was arrested on June 12th and charged with first-degree Directing a Laser at an Aircraft, a Class E felony. He was processed at the State Police in Wilton, issued an appearance ticket, and released.

State Police emphasized that shining a laser at an aircraft is far from a harmless prank. Even a brief strike can temporarily blind or disorient pilots, creating dangerous glare in the cockpit and potentially leading to a catastrophic accident.

The Dangers of Laser Strikes

State Police also released a demonstration photo to illustrate the danger laser strikes pose to pilots. In the side-by-side image, the left photo shows the crew's normal view, while the right photo simulates the effect of a laser being directed at the aircraft.

Officials said the photos were taken in a controlled environment, with all personnel wearing protective eyewear, and are intended solely to demonstrate how a laser strike can temporarily impair a pilot's vision and pose a serious hazard during flight operations.