A New York-bound flight from London was forced to turn around and head back to Heathrow Airport on Sunday when one of the pilots was blinded by a laser beam shortly after takeoff, authorities said.

The Virgin Airlines flight was on its way to JFK Airport when a crew member radioed air traffic control at about 4:35 p.m. and reported a “medical issue with one of the pilots after a laser incident,” according to officials.

The airline said in a statement that “all customers will be offered overnight accommodation” and that the canceled flight would be made up on Monday afternoon.

With Post wires