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Laser blinds passenger jet pilot Laser blinds passenger jet pilot
(40 minutes later)
The pilot of a passenger jet was blinded by a laser device as the aircraft came in to land at Durham Tees Valley Airport, police said.The pilot of a passenger jet was blinded by a laser device as the aircraft came in to land at Durham Tees Valley Airport, police said.
The jet landed safely after the co-pilot took the controls as the plane made its approach on Sunday night.The jet landed safely after the co-pilot took the controls as the plane made its approach on Sunday night.
A Cleveland Police helicopter was also targeted as it searched an area around the airport near Darlington.A Cleveland Police helicopter was also targeted as it searched an area around the airport near Darlington.
A police spokesman said a 19-year-old man had been arrested and charged with two counts of endangering an aircraft.A police spokesman said a 19-year-old man had been arrested and charged with two counts of endangering an aircraft.
Ground searchGround search
A Cleveland Police spokeswoman said: "The 2230 KLM flight was coming in to land at Durham Tees Valley Airport when a laser device was shone at the aircraft. A Cleveland Police spokeswoman said: "The incoming flight was coming in to land at Durham Tees Valley Airport when a laser device was shone into the cockpit.
"The pilot was temporarily blinded and the co-pilot landed the plane."The pilot was temporarily blinded and the co-pilot landed the plane.
"When the police helicopter was sent to investigate, it too was targeted by the laser device."When the police helicopter was sent to investigate, it too was targeted by the laser device.
"Officers on the ground were able to arrest a 19-year-old man and the device recovered." "Officers on the ground were able to arrest a 19-year-old man, who was outside the airport, and the device recovered."
She said there were no reports of injuries.She said there were no reports of injuries.