B737 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Distraction; Workload
Inflight Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
Flight Crew Became Reoriented; General Police / Security Involved
Airport; Environment - Non Weather Related
Captain flying; First Officer monitoring. Flying the ILS Y Runway 02. Turned inbound on the localizer course and checked in with La Aurora Tower. Tower advised of a green laser on final. I could see it almost immediately. [Another] crew landed ahead of us and complained to tower about the laser and requested that police be notified; the crew also told us directly about it on the tower frequency. The laser beam could be seen moving in the scud layer ahead of us. The beam originated on the center-line close to the threshold. There is a substantial cliff at the threshold of Runway 02 and the laser beam originated somewhere close to; and beneath; the threshold. The laser operator was clearly attempting to interfere with the operation of the aircraft on approach and could concentrate the laser into the cockpit fairly consistently moving the beam back and forth; side to side across the flight path. The glide slope was out of service so the pilot flying was required to observe the PAPI to maintain a proper descent angle. The laser made this task somewhat difficult. We told tower after landing that the laser was a danger and reiterated the need for authorities to get out there and stop it. Tower indicated that authorities were being notified. I was monitoring pilot and was hit in the eyes several times. The Captain indicated that he was not hit in the eyes. I did not perceive any lasting effects of the laser in my eyes.
A Boeing 737 pilot reported being hit in the eyes by a laser while on final approach at a foreign airport. The preceding aircraft also reported a laser directed at them. The pilot was not injured; and the incident was reported to airport authorities.