Reported laser strikes on aircraft in the United States decreased 23 percent in 2018 from a peak in 2016, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) says.
In a statement issued earlier this week, the FAA said 5,663 laser strikes were reported in 2018, down from 6,754 reported strikes in 2017 and 7,398 in 2016.
“Aiming a laser at an aircraft creates a serous safety risk that violates federal law,” the FAA said. “High-powered lasers can completely incapacitate pilots flying aircraft that often carry hundreds of passengers.”
Lasting eye damage from laser illumination of an aircraft cockpit is rare, but distraction and temporary visual disruptions are far more frequent, authorities have said. Among the temporary visual problems are flash blindness (momentary visual impairment resulting from a bright light that overwhelms the eyes), blurred vision, dazzle (intense glare), headache and discomfort in the eyes.
“The FAA and law enforcement agencies are working hard to…
