US authorities are investigating an apparent laser incident on an American Airlines Boeing MD-82 preparing to land in Austin, Texas, Sunday evening.

According to the preliminary incident report issued by FAA yesterday, American flight 479 with 111 passengers and five crew was descending into Austin after a flight from Dallas-Fort Worth at approximately 1830 central time when pilots reported "an intense green laser light flash into the cockpit" about 10mi from the airport.

FAA says one crew member was transported to the hospital with an eye injury. American Airlines confirmed that the first officer was treated at a local hospital and released.

The US Federal Bureau of Investigation, which is handling the investigation, did not have further details as of this morning.

Source: Air Transport Intelligence news