Ornge aircraft struck by green laser in Toronto

On February 15, 2020 at approximately 8:50 p.m., an Ornge aircraft was struck by a green laser in the area of Richmond and Sherbourne Street in the downtown Toronto area. The aircraft was on route back to base at Billy Bishop Airport after completing a call to The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. The aircraft returned to base without further incident. A report was filed with Toronto Police for investigation as well as a Directed Bright Light Illumination Report with Transport Canada.



As a result of the strike, an Ornge pilot and paramedic sustained an eye injury and required evaluation from a physician at a local Toronto hospital.



A video of the strike was captured by the flight crew and provided to Toronto Police.



Distract pilots

Cause temporary or permanent blindness

Create a glare in the cockpit affecting pilot vision

Cause further injury to Ornge patients

Distract or injure Ornge paramedic

$100,000 in fines

5 years in prison

Or both

Pointing lasers at aircraft can:Under the Aeronautics Act, if an individual is convicted of pointing a laser at an aircraft, they could face up to:Ornge encourages anyone who witnessed this incident to contact Toronto Police and Transport Canada. Anyone witnessing lasers being pointed towards aircraft can contact their local police or Transport Canada.In 2019, Ornge had three reported laser strikes on our aircraft. In 2020, there have been five reported laser strikes on our aircraft.For more information about laser strikes, feel free to visit this Laser Strike Campaign page by Transport Canada