- Pointing a laser at an aircraft is a federal crime.
- Report laser incidents
The FAA remains vigilant in its campaign to heighten public awareness of the serious safety risk posed by lasers pointed at aircraft. However, laser strikes continue to stay at high levels with pilots reporting 13,304 laser strikes to the FAA in 2023.
| Year | Laser Incidents |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 13,304 |
| 2022 | 9,457 |
| 2021 | 9,723 |
| 2020 | 6,852 |
| 2019 | 6,136 |
| 2018 | 5,663 |
| 2017 | 6,754 |
| 2016 | 7,398 |
Laser strikes on aircraft remain a serious threat to aviation safety. Intentionally aiming lasers at aircrafts poses a safety threat to pilots and violates federal law. Many high-powered lasers can incapacitate pilots flying aircraft that may be carrying hundreds of passengers.
The FAA works closely with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to pursue civil and criminal penalties against people who purposely aim a laser at an aircraft. The agency takes enforcement action against people who violate Federal Aviation Regulations by shining lasers at aircraft and can impose civil penalties of up to $11,000 per violation. The FAA has imposed civil penalties up to $30,800 against people for multiple laser incidents.
To minimize risk, pilots and crewmembers should report laser incidents as soon as possible.
Incident Reports
- Reported Laser Incidents for 2024
- Reported Laser Incidents for 2023
- Reported Laser Incidents for 2022 (MS Excel)
- Reported Laser Incidents for 2021 (MS Excel)
- Reported Laser Incidents for 2020 (MS Excel)
- Reported Laser Incidents for 2019 (MS Excel)
- Reported Laser Incidents for 2018 (MS Excel)
- Reported Laser Incidents for 2017 (MS Excel)
- Reported Laser Incidents for 2016 (MS Excel)
- Reported Laser Incidents for 2015 (MS Excel)
- Reported Laser Incidents for 2010-2014 (MS Excel) (1/13/2015)
- Legal Interpretation of 14 CFR 91.11, Interference with a Crewmember via Laser (PDF) (6/1/2011)
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