WASHINGTON, D.C.-Reports of strikes from lasers illegally pointed at aircraft reached an all-time high in 2023.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, there were more than 13,000 laser strikes in 2023, up from 9,457 in 2022.
Laser strikes on planes are considered any instance in which a pilot sees a laser in their flight path, according to NBC News reporting. Pointing a laser at or into an airplane has been a federal crime since 2012 and is punishable by up to five years in prison.
Laser pointers can distract pilots or cause flash blindness — of particular danger during takeoff and landing, when many incidents are reported because planes are flying at lower altitude and are more susceptible to laser strikes.
Half the reported strikes occurred at altitudes of less than 6,000 feet, according to NBC News.
In addition to any federal charges, anyone who points a laser at a pilot or plane may face civil penalties from the FAA, including a fine of up to $11,000 per offense.
