Laser incidents reported by US pilots hit record in 2021: report

The number of reported incidents involving aiming of lasers at U.S. airplanes hit a record in 2021, according to a federal government report, which also said regulators should do more to address the problem. The Government Accountability Office said the FAA should strengthen its efforts to address the practice that regulators say can pose a serious safety issue. Reported laser incidents rose 42% in 2021 to 9,273. Intentionally aiming lasers at aircraft poses a safety threat to pilots and violates federal law. "Many high-powered lasers can incapacitate pilots flying aircraft that may be carrying hundreds of passengers," the FAA said. The FAA asks pilots to complete laser pointing incident questionnaires upon landing. But GAO said "FAA received responses for about 12% of the 8,221 laser incidents that occurred over a recent one-year period." The FAA said on Thursday that in order to reduce attacks, "the agency conducts outreach to educate the public about the hazards of lasers aimed at aircraft." The agency noted it can issue fines of up to $11,000 per violation and $30,800 for multiple laser incidents. The agency said it issued $120,000 in fines for laser strikes in 2021.<br/>