Planes and Helicopters Targeted by Lasers in NY, Dallas

In 2014, 3,894 laser incidents were reported across the US, including Puerto Rico, and 116 of them were in the tri-state, according to the FAA.

American’s 15,000 active pilots are trained to be aware of the possibility of laser strikes and what to do if they’re struck, said Tajer, who has not experienced a laser strike in his almost 30 years as a pilot. “It literally illuminates the entire cockpit, making it impossible to see, all from that little bitty green light”. The pilot alerted LaGuardia Airport’s air traffic control tower staff, which notified a NY Police Department aviation unit. And while the helicopter’s pilot prudently looked away from the beam to avoid being blinded, reporter Dennis Protsko kept him in sight from 1,500 feet.

Federal authorities have launched an investigation after numerous aircraft were hit by laser beams Wednesday night. “Deliberately pointing a laser at an aircraft also is a federal crime, punishable by up to five years in prison”.

Three planes and three helicopters were targeted by people shining laser beams in NY and Dallas last night as aviation officials warned pilots could be blinded and crash.

A few airports have reported more than 100 laser strikes this year: Los Angeles with 197; Phoenix with 183; Houston with 151; Las Vegas with 132, and Dallas-Fort Worth with 115.

While no pilots reported injuries, pointing a laser at an aircraft is a federal crime, signed into law in 2012.

There has been a rash of incidents involving lasers and airplanes.

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.

Through October 16, laser strikes at aircraft in three major cities were: San Jose, 83; San Francisco, 72; Oakland, 51, Gregor said. In the Bay Area, even our very own Sky 7 HD pilot has been a target. The pilot said the laser originated from a location west of US-27 in the Danville/Lancaster area.

“When we were looking there, we got lasered”, the pilot, Joe Biermann, told the station.