So far no aircraft accidents have been attributed to the growing number of laser attacks.
Pilots have reported 2,795 laser events for 2011, according to the FAA. If the trend continues, reports for this year are likely to top 2010’s record of 2,836 incidents. In fact, laser event reports have increased steadily since 2005, when the FAA created a formal reporting system to collect information from pilots.
Part of the early increase – from 300 in 2005 to 1,527 in 2009 is from pilots, air traffic controllers, and the public becoming more aware of the dangers and calling authorities. However, the federal government thinks that the dramatic rise cannot be explained away that easily.
The FAA says that portable laser pointing devices are less expensive, more powerful, and more readily available than ever. People seem unable to resist the “very dangerous temptation to shine them at aircraft.” It is mute though on the possibility of domestic terrorism occurring.
The FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt today launched a new laser website at the Air Line Pilots Association “Laser Illumination Conference.” The new FAA laser site has statistics, research on the dangers lasers pose, and links for reporting laser incidents. It also features downloadable videos at www.faa.gov/go/laserinfo.
“As a former commercial airline pilot, I can tell you that shining a laser into the cockpit of an aircraft is a serious safety risk. Lasers can distract or temporarily blind pilots who are trying to fly safely to their destinations and could compromise the safety of hundreds of passengers,” said Babbitt.
In June, the FAA announced it would start imposing civil penalties of up to $11,000 against people pointing a laser into the cockpit of an aircraft. The agency is currently working on 18 civil penalty cases. The FAA also worked with Myrtle Beach, SC, to develop a law making it illegal to point a laser at an aircraft. In September, Myrtle Beach passed its law, joining a number of other states and communities who have recognized the dangers lasers pose.
