Police in the Comox Valley confirm they're trying to track down the person who flashed a laser pointer at a search and rescue aircraft near Mount Washington over the weekend.
The Buffalo aircraft was en route from 19 Wing Comox to a rescue operation on western Vancouver Island when a laser flashed in the cockpit not once, but three times.
"They noticed that it was a bright green light and it was kind of distracting for them," said flight safety officer Capt. Adam Rietman.
The crew reported the laser flash in to the base's tower, which alerted police, who are now investigating.
"This is the first time that they've actually ever experienced a laser sighting like that," said Rietman. "If the laser is strong enough, it can lead to eye injuries so the crew did report to the hospital."
But it's not the first time a laser has been shone at an aircraft in the Comox Valley.
Former RCMP auxiliary Dave Mellin says a helicopter he was in while performing Halloween patrol in the Comox Valley was once intentionally hit with a laser pointer.
"It's extremely dangerous, not only to the people in the aircraft," said Mellin. "If you plummet out of the sky who knows what you're going to hit when you hit the ground?"
Up until Sept. 15 of this year, there have been 31 laser strikes against aircraft in B.C. and 203 in Canada, according to Transport Canada.
The problem spiked two years ago, with 590 hits occurring across the country.
Anyone found guilty of flashing a laser pointer at an aircraft could face five years in jail or $100,000 in fines.
With a report from CTV Vancouver Island's Gord Kurbis
