Laser Strikes A Dangerous Trend Pilots Say Happening Far Too Often
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Multiple scares in the sky. Laser strikes on passenger jets flying out of New York. Hundreds of lives -- put at risk. Pilots say it's happening far too often.
Meghan McCorkell has more on this dangerous trend.
Investigators say someone with a laser pointer targeted five planes -- all within 30 minutes of each other.
A bright green light fills the cockpit -- capable of blinding a pilot. The laser strikes reported Thursday night by five different passenger planes over JFK Airport.
"I thought it was just a rogue laser, but they were definitely aiming at us a couple times. We saw it a couples times in the cockpit," one pilot said.
Investigators believe someone used a laser pointer in a nearby park to target the planes.
According to the FAA, laser attacks are on the rise.
In 2006, just 384 were reported nationwide.
In 2014, that number rose to nearly 3,900.
Thirty of those incidents in 2014 were reported right here in Maryland at airports across the state.
Just last year, a Maryland state police helicopter on a medevac mission fell victim to a laser strike.
"We have the risk of crashing the aircraft, of killing everybody on board. We have the risk of permanent eye damage," said Corporal Gregg Lantz, Maryland State Police.
"It happens pretty quickly. And when the light hits the cockpit, this glass here, it refracts everywhere," said Captain Jeff Long, Sky Eye Chopper 13.
Captain Jeff has been hit multiple times by lasers. The last incident -- just last month, as he was reporting over the unrest in Baltimore.
"Because I'd been hit with a laser before, I immediately knew to turn away as soon as I caught it, and I didn't get it straight on," said Captain Jeff.
Fortunately, he wasn't hurt.
Shining a laser pointer at a plane is now a federal offense.
The search continues for the suspect who targeted the planes in New York.
A person caught shining a laser at a plane faces penalties of up to $11,000 per violation and possible jail time.
