Lasers Hit Jets: Laser Beam Strikes Several Commercial Airliners In One Night

A series of lasers hit jets flying inbound to a Dallas airport on Wednesday night. Reports cite several other instances of laser beam strikes during the same night.

The Christian Science Monitor reports that the laser beams struck a Southwest Airlines plane, Virgin America plane, and a private business jet while all three were preparing to land at Dallas Love Field. This has ignited concerns over the lasers distracting or temporarily blinding pilots.

Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Lynn Lunsford said that the planes were flying at altitudes between 3,000 and 4,000 feet. The lasers hit the jets from an area 11 miles southeast of Dallas. A law enforcement helicopter was sent to the area to investigate the incidents.

In New York, police have detained a suspect believed to have pointed a laser at an NBC News helicopter while it was flying over Brooklyn on Wednesday night. A reporter who was on board the helicopter was able to zoom in on two suspects with a camera. They were seen standing behind a building in Prospect Heights. Both suspects were detained and one arrested by police.

According to a report published in the Washington Post, lasers hit more than 20 jets Wednesday night over 16 U.S. cities. This information comes from the FAA.

The FAA released a statement about the laser beam strikes.

“None of the pilots reported injuries. Nevertheless, shining a laser at an aircraft is a federal crime that the U.S. vigorously pursues. Lasers distract pilots from their safety duties and can lead to temporary blindness during critical phases of flight, such as takeoff and landing. In some cases in the past, pilots have reported eye injuries that required medical treatment.”

As the report continues, Capt. Joe DePete, first vice president from the Air Line Pilots Association, explained earlier this summer to the Washington Post that lasers are most dangerous when pilots are trying to take off or land.

“During critical phases of flight, particularly in hours of darkness when the eye is more sensitive to light sources. A laser strike in the cockpit can create a ‘startle response’ which negatively impacts pilot health and flight safety.”

In light of the news that pointed lasers hit jets prior to landing, the FAA revealed earlier this month that it’s received 5,148 reports of “lasing” between January 1 and October 9 in 2015. It’s predicted that by the end of the year, there will be a total of 6,850 incidents, which is a 176 percent increase from last year.

It became a federal crime back in 2012 to point lasers at aircraft. Violators will face a maximum of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. There are also civil penalties of up to $11,000 for each violation, according to the report.

In order to dissuade people from pointing lasers at jets, the FBI started a campaign in 2014, offering $10,000 rewards.

So far, no crashes have resulted from lasers that hit jets, but the fact that the beams distract and can temporarily blind pilots could lead to more dangerous scenarios.

Other cities where lasers hit jets occurred in California at Los Angeles, Oakland, Ontario, Palm Springs, and Sacramento. One happened in St. Petersburg, Florida, while another took place in Springfield, Illinois. In Kentucky, Covington and Danville jets were hit by lasers and one was struck in Detroit, Michigan.

Planes in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Jamestown, New York, were hit along with one in Salt Lake City, Utah, and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

[Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images]