Mon, Mar 09, 2020
More Than 6,000 Laser Incidents Were Reported To The FAA In 2019
The FAA remains vigilant in bringing awareness to the misuse of lasers when pointed towards aircraft. The FAA recorded more than 6,000 incidents in 2019, compared to 5,663 reports in 2018.
Although laser pointers are fun to play with, lasers can be dangerous when pointed towards the sky. Lasers are appropriate in classrooms or in the workplace, but not near the clouds. Negligently aiming lasers pose a safety threat to pilots.
The FAA and law enforcement agencies continue to inform the public of the dangers posed by lasers, and the legal consequences.
According to a fact sheet published by the FAA, the agency takes enforcement action against those who violate Federal Aviation Regulations by shining lasers at aircraft, imposing civil penalties of up to $11,000 per violation. Civil penalties of up to $30,800 have been imposed by the FAA against individuals for multiple laser incidents.
The substantial number of reports is due to a number of factors. This includes:
- Greater awareness by pilots to report laser incidents, due in large part to the FAA’s extensive outreach program
- The availability of inexpensive laser devices
- The abundance of lasers for sale in stores and online
- The number of lasers being given as gifts
- Stronger power levels that enable lasers to hit aircraft at higher altitudes
- Green lasers, which are more visible to the human eye than red lasers
The FAA’s guidance for agency investigators and attorneys stresses that laser violations should not be addressed through warning notices or counseling. The agency seeks moderately high civil penalties for inadvertent violations, but maximum penalties for deliberate violations. Violators who are pilots or mechanics face revocation of their FAA certificate, as well as civil penalties.
Shining a laser at aircraft is illegal in some cities and states. In many cases, people can face federal charges. Federal, state, and local prosecutors have sentenced laser violators to jail time, community service, probation and additional financial penalties for court costs and restitution.
(Source: FAA)
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