Home / Crime and Justice / Lasers vs. Pilots: A Dangerous Game
Lasers vs. Pilots: A Dangerous Game
31 Oct
Summary
- Laser beams spread and can blind pilots, especially at night.
- Aiming lasers at aircraft is a federal crime in the US.
- Police use infrared cameras to track laser origins.
Aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft poses a significant risk to flight safety. While laser beams appear narrow at short distances, they expand considerably over miles. This can create a wide, intense glow within the cockpit, akin to staring into a low sun. Pilots may experience temporary blindness, especially during critical phases of flight like takeoff and landing, which often occur at night when pupils are dilated.
Hundreds of thousands of laser strikes on aircraft are reported annually, with nearly 11,000 incidents reported to the FAA in 2025. This dangerous act has been a federal crime in the US since 2012. Perpetrators face severe penalties, including up to five years in prison and fines up to $250,000. State and civil penalties can add substantially to these consequences.
Authorities are equipped to track down those responsible. Police helicopters utilize infrared cameras capable of tracing laser beams back to their origin. Recent cases highlight this capability, with individuals in New York and Arizona receiving prison sentences for illuminating aircraft with lasers. These incidents underscore that getting caught is a realistic outcome.
