Pointing a laser at an aircraft is a federal crime.

While heightened public awareness of the serious safety risk posed by lasers has helped to reduce the total number of laser strikes for the second consecutive year, thousands of incidents are still reported each year.

The FAA reported 5,663 laser incidents in 2018, down from 6,754 in 2017 and 7,398 in 2016. However, the substantial number of reported incidents clearly show that laser strikes on aircraft remain a serious threat to aviation safety.

To minimize risk to pilots and crew, it is essential that everyone report laser incidents as soon as possible.

Incident Reports