Delta flight hit by lasers approaching Kennedy, officials say

The crew of a Delta flight reported being struck “several times” by a green laser light over the Plainview-Old Bethpage area while flying at about 3,000 feet early Wednesday on final approach into Kennedy Airport, authorities said.

The Federal Aviation Administration said the incident occurred around midnight and involved Delta Flight 2294, a Boeing B737 jet that had departed McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas. Flight records indicate the flight departed Las Vegas at 4:50 p.m. and landed safely at Kennedy at 12:14 a.m.

Delta Air Lines did not immediately comment on the incident. Nassau County police, who received the complaint from air traffic controllers, initially reported that the flight was on final approach to LaGuardia Airport -- not Kennedy.

According to police, the crew believed the laser strikes, on the right side of the aircraft, originated from the Plainview-Old Bethpage area. It was not immediately clear how many passengers and crew were aboard the flight. There were no reported injuries.

The FAA said it is investigating the incident.

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”