How long until an airliner is downed with a laser?

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Quote:

A "laser incident" forced a pilot to turn around a flight from London to New York, Virgin Atlantic Airlines said. "Following this incident, the first officer reported feeling unwell. The decision was taken by both pilots to return to Heathrow rather than continue the transatlantic crossing," the airline said on its website.

How long will it be before a person tries to take down a large aircraft like the Ding Chavez character did in Tom Clancey's book, Debt of Honor?

If they catch the person responsible for this latest incident, would the charges be merely interfering with the operation of an aircraft and assault or would the local authorities be able to make a charge of attempted murder stick?

Ranb

via International Skeptics Forum http://ift.tt/1Lpdzi0