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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 12,840 laser strikes to the FAA in 2024.  

Laser Strikes reported to the FAA since 2016
YearLaser Incidents
20262,210
202510,993
202412,840
202313,304
20229,457
20219,723
20206,852
20196,136
20185,663
20176,754
20167,398

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

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