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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

July 15, 1997 · Boeing 737-522 · N956UA

Ontario, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Incident
Date
July 15, 1997
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (113 uninjured)
Location
Ontario, CA
Aircraft
Boeing 737-522
Tail Number
N956UA
Operator
United Airlines
Injuries
None
NTSB Number
LAX97IA243

The aircraft was descending on radar vectors for the final approach course when the crew noticed a red laser beam that swept across the cockpit several times. A few seconds later, the laser encounter reoccurred. The aircraft was several miles from the approach end of the runway when the crew saw the laser emanating from a point on the ground north of their position. The crew notified air traffic control of the incident. There was no injury to anyone onboard the aircraft. Investigators from the FDA, the FBI, as well as airborne law enforcement personnel were notified; however, the source of the light remains undetermined. There were no NOTAMs in effect for laser light activity in the area at the time of the incident.

NTSB Probable Cause

a laser light source of undetermined origin directed toward the cockpit window of an aircraft in-flight by a person or persons unknown.

Full Narrative

On July 14, 1997, at 2034 hours Pacific daylight time, the flight crew on United Airlines Flight 2327, reported an exposure to a laser beam during an approach to Ontario, California. The aircraft, a Boeing 737-522, N956UA, was operated by United Airlines as a regularly scheduled domestic passenger flight under 14 CFR Part 121 when the incident occurred. The flight originated in San Francisco, California, at 1938 on the evening of the incident. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the assigned altitude and an IFR flight plan was filed. The aircraft was descending through 4,000 feet msl on a vector to intercept the final approach course to runway 26R at Ontario when the crew noticed a red laser beam that swept across the cockpit five to six times. About 5 seconds later, the laser encounter reoccurred. The aircraft was between 4 and 5 miles from the approach end of the runway when the crew saw the laser emanating from a point on the ground about 1.5 miles north of their position. The crew notified air traffic control of the incident. There were no reports of injury to anyone onboard the aircraft. Investigators from the FDA, the FBI, and the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Aero Bureau were notified; however, the source of the light remains undetermined. According to the FAA, there were no NOTAMs in effect for laser light activity in the Ontario area at the time of the incident.

Flight

Event TypeIncident
Event Time20:34 PDT
Nearest AirportOntario International (5nm E)
Runway26R
Runway Length12200 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBoeing 737-522
Tail NumberN956UA
Aircraft CategoryAir
OperatorUnited Airlines
Operating RulePart 121
Engines2
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsCfm · CFM56-3C · Turbofan · 22000
Seats115

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (113 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured113
Total113
Crew 1Age 47 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
Wind240° @ 12 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point57
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time02:37
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data