![]()
Laser strikes are becoming an increasing problem in the national airspace, with nearly 8,000 reported incidents in 2023. In Boston, multiple laser light strikes to aircraft have been reported and the FAA is investigating. While laser pointers may seem like a toy, these light strikes can pose a serious risk to pilots and passengers.RELATED STORIES:Laser strike risk remains high, FAA requests warning label with safety risks and federal lawsGAO report says the FAA needs to do more to address laser incidents
NBC 10 Boston reported Friday that three reports of laser strikes to aircraft in the area have added to a growing concern about the usage of lasers in the airspace. A helicopter crew reported seeing the laser when landing at a Boston hospital and the two other flights were landing at the Logan International Airport (BOS). All three instances involved a green laser pointed directly at the aircraft. NBC 10 reported that the crews in two Jet Blue flights noticed the flashing Thursday morning and a similar incident occurred with the helicopter that night.
"Let's get this clear: These are not incidents, they're attacks," American Airlines Captain Dennis Tajer told NBC 10.
Tajer recently experienced a laser strike while landing a full commercial plane.
"Laser came into the flight deck, and we're trained, when that happens, we yell out 'Laser,' and the idea is to not go look for it, it's to put your head down and protect your eyes," Tajer said to NBC 10.
Lasers can incapacitate pilots and put passengers and crews at risk. Between 2020 and 2021 the number of reported incidents rose by about 42 percent. There were 9,457 laser strikes reported to the FAA in 2022 and 9,723 in 2021, up from the 6,852 reported in 2020. The current spreadsheet of reported incidents for 2023 has 7,450 strikes reported up to Aug. 31.
Pointing a laser at an aircraft is a federal crime and the FAA fines people up to $11,000 per violation and up to $30,800 for multiple laser incidents. In 2021, the FAA issued $120,000 in fines. Representative Bruce J. Ayers has petitioned to increase the penalties for interfering with an aircraft by use of a laser pointer.
In February the FAA urged laser manufacturers and distributors to add warning labels on products to not point lasers at aircraft. High-powered lasers can distract or incapacitate pilots and put everyone on board the plane and on the ground below in danger.
"You don't have to be a pilot to understand, a blind pilot, or blind pilots, is not going to add up to a safe flight," Tajer said to NBC 10.