More than 20 aircraft struck by lasers Wednesday night

[jpak]

Source: CNN

(CNN)More than 20 aircraft were struck by lasers from the ground Wednesday night, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

Strikes were reported in 10 states as well as in Puerto Rico and Ontario, Canada, said the FAA. Aircraft flying over major cities such as New York, Los Angeles and Dallas were among those affected.

While no pilots reported injuries, pointing a laser at an aircraft is a federal crime, signed into law in 2012. "Lasers distract pilots from their safety duties and can lead to temporary blindness during critical phases of flight, such as takeoff and landing. In some cases in the past, pilots have reported eye injuries that required medical treatment," the FAA said.

As handheld lasers are becoming more common, such incidents of laser-pointing have been on the rise. As of October 16, the total number of laser strikes in the United States this year was 5,352, said the FAA. Last year, there were 3,894, and in 2005, there were only 283.

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Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2015/11/12/us/laser-strikes/

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lasers + drones = ?

[Warpy]

3. They need to dive into the bowels of the internet

at places like 4chan and find out how it was organized. This was organized.

[nilram]

7. Was it organized?

From the article,

As of October 16, the total number of laser strikes in the United States this year was 5,352

October 16th is the 289th day of the year, so that's an average of 18 per day, so 20 in one day doesn't seem exceptional.

Anyway, disturbing to have so much laser activity going on.

[Warpy]

9. OK, thanks, I didn't know there were that many assholes out there with laser pointers

who were threatening planeloads of people for shits and giggles.

They start using drones on us, that's different.

[Android3.14]

6. From the article 5,352 occurred this year alone

5352/365 = 14 per day on average. So 20 doesn't seem like such a spike. I'd bet 99.99 percent are someone pointing a laser for the fun of it. Anyone who infers an imminent attack from the event is probably unnecessarily afraid.

The damage to a pilot's eyes also seems to be a bit of a reach unless the person were using a powerful laser, which most of these are probably keychain lasers and not that powerful.

[6chars]

8. good point

i wonder if they can make "laser proof" windshields for airplanes. Business idea!

[Major Nikon]

2. lasers =/ drones

It's dipshits on the ground who buy high powered lasers that are widely available and then aim them at aircraft.

Locally we've had a few morons aim them at police helicopters with predictable results.

http://crimeblog.dallasnews.com/2015/11/37-year-old-dallas-man-pleads-guilty-to-pointing-laser-at-department-of-public-safety-helicopter.html/

[Warpy]

4. Police copters I can certainly understand

We call them ghetto birds and they fly in tight circles overhead for hours at a time when something's going on. After a while, the racket starts to drive you a little nutso.

[BlueJazz]

5. I use a 1 watt laser to align my telescopes at night (in a small observatory).

If I hear or see ANY aircraft even close to the area I'm pointing at...within 40 degrees, That sucker gets turned off..pronto.
I can wait.

[Fumesucker]

12. That's rather overpowered for a green laser

I have 50mw green laser I use for star pointing and alignment, the beam is clearly visible. Mostly I use mine for polar alignment, after that the Goto on my mount is more than adequate for locating objects.

[BlueJazz]

13. I agree but this one was free. I bought a 10" reflector (Orion) about a year ago and when I went...

...to pick it up (225.00), the woman asked me if I wanted the pointer. I think? her husband died and she was selling his stuff. I thought it was a ordinary pointer. Quite surprised when I got home. I even tried to contact her again but to no avail. (She lived 120 miles from me.

Been looking at the Meade 12" LX200-ACF f/10 OTA w/UHTC but I keep asking myself ...Do you really want to spend 3249.00 ?

[LanternWaste]

14. Another three have happened in the DFW area over the past five days.

Another three laser-pointer incidents have happened in the DFW area over the past four days. DPD sent a bait helicopter up two nights ago to flush whomever out, but to no immediate avail (as per last night's local CBS news coverage).

[James48]

10. cities listed

Federal Aviation Administration (Facebook)

3 hrs ·


Nearly two dozen aircraft were hit by lasers last night. Shining a laser at an aircraft is a federal crime. It can harm the pilot and passengers. If you see someone pointing a laser at an aircraft, call 911.

More than 20 aircraft were struck by lasers from the ground last night while flying over cities across the United States. Three laser strikes were reported in the New York City/Newark, N.J early in the evening, followed by three incidents in Texas, where jets were struck while preparing to land at Dallas Love Field. By late evening, pilots reported laser incidents in:

New York/Newark
Dallas
Jamestown, NY
Oakland, CA
Covington, KY
Danville, KY
Palm Springs, CA
Salt Lake City
Los Angeles
Albuquerque
Detroit
Ontario, CA
St. Petersburg, FL
Springfield, IL
San Juan, PR
Sacramento

None of the pilots reported injuries. Nevertheless, shining a laser at an aircraft is a federal crime that the U.S. vigorously pursues. Lasers distract pilots from their safety duties and can lead to temporary blindness during critical phases of flight, such as takeoff and landing. In some cases in the past, pilots have reported eye injuries that required medical treatment.

As of Oct. 16, the total number of laser strikes around the U.S. this year was 5,352.

-- Learn more about lasers and ways to report incidents: https://www.faa.gov/about/initiatives/lasers/

-- Report a Laser Strike to the FAA: http://www.faa.gov/mobile/?event=laser

[Bernardo de La Paz]

11. Ontario, California (a city) not Ontario, Canada (a province 50% larger than Texas). Both are CA. nt