Lasers pointed at 11 commercial flights in single night

ajc.com

Credit: File

Credit: File


The Federal Aviation Administration reports that on Wednesday night, the crew of eleven commercial flights informed air traffic controllers that lasers were pointed in their direction.

While there were no injuries or accidents caused by the lasers, CNN reports that this is part of a growing and dangerous trend.

CNN reported back in May about planes being targeted by people with powerful laser devices.

Wednesday night’s incidents all occurred in New Jersey, according to the FAA. American, JetBlue, United, Delta and Republic all reported laser encounters between 10 and 11 p.m. ET.

The Transportation Security Administration notes that handheld lasers can project a beam more than a mile and illuminate a plane’s cockpit, temporarily blinding pilots. Such a disruption in vision could endanger flight safety.