Travis Schlepp and Dom McAndrew
20 minutes ago
FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – The Federal Aviation Administration received 238 reports of lasers shining at aircraft over Fresno over a five-year period from 2019 to 2023. Data shows which laser colors are preferred by criminals.
Statistics released by the FAA show the date and time of the incident, the aircraft involved, and the color of the laser used to illuminate the aircraft. Fresno data can be downloaded by clicking here.
Of the colors listed by federal officials, green lasers were by far the most commonly used when aiming lasers at aircraft. According to the data, laser incidents involving green lasers in Fresno were 81% of incidents in 2023, 82% of incidents in 2022, 88% of incidents in 2021, 63% of incidents in 2020, and 81% of incidents in 2019. accounted for 85% of incidents.
Other laser colors recorded by the FAA used in Fresno include:
- 2023: 8 blue, 1 blue/red, 2 red, 3 unknown
- 2022: 1 yellow, 4 blue, 1 blue and purple, 1 red, 1 red and blue
- 2021: 1 blue and red, 4 blue
- 2020: 3 blue, 1 red, 1 white, 2 unknown
- 2019: 1 multicolor, 1 purple, 1 red and white, 1 white
Although it may seem like a harmless prank, federal regulators consider laser attacks to be a “serious safety threat” to pilots and their passengers. Lasers in the green spectrum are considered particularly dangerous because they give bright light to the eyes.
According to national statistics, 13,304 laser attacks were recorded across the United States in 2023, an increase of 41% from the previous year. More than 14% of these incidents, 1,871 to be exact, occurred in California, according to the FAA. The Golden State is by far the worst offender, with 461 more incidents reported than the second-highest state, Texas.
Since the FAA began tracking laser attacks in 2010, laser light has been blamed for the injuries to 313 pilots. Lasers can cause serious damage to the human eye, including corneal damage. In the most severe cases, it can cause temporary or permanent vision loss.
The FAA recorded 34 pilot injuries last year, including four in California.
“The FAA is committed to maintaining the safest air transportation system in the world. Pointing a laser at an aircraft is a serious safety hazard and puts everyone on board the aircraft and on the ground at risk,” the FAA said. Commissioner Michael Whitaker said.
If you shine a laser beam at an aircraft, the FAA can impose fines of up to $11,000 for each violation and up to $30,800 for multiple incidents. Depending on factors such as where the laser attack occurred and the type of aircraft targeted, local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies may also pursue criminal charges.
Many laser pointers you can buy in stores are relatively weak, but you can buy a large number of high-power laser pointers online. Some of them are stronger than allowed by federal regulations. technology.
The FAA says it hopes to combat these dangerous pranks through public assistance, education, and local cooperation. Anyone who witnesses these laser attacks is also asked to report them to the FAA or local law enforcement.
The agency also has an interactive map showing when and where such laser attacks occur across the country, which it hopes will “bring attention to the dangerously high rate.”
Click here to learn more about laser attacks.
