Laser mot fly er fremdeles et stort problem i USA - Curt Lewis

 

FAA: Iowa laser pointers targeted aircraft in flight 271 times

•  The FAA and FBI are going after people who point lasers at aircraft.

People in Iowa pointed lasers at aircraft in flight 271 times from 2010-20, breaking federal law, records show. 

Only 12 states had a lower number. 

That placed Iowans among the least-guilty of an offense that can mean a $11,000 fine per incident, and a $30,800 civil fine if you make a habit out of risking pilots’ eyesight, the Federal Aviation Administration said in a new report.

The act also can land offenders in prison for five years under a federal law passed in 2018. The FBI offers up to $10,000 for information leading to an arrest. FAA is encouraging people to report offenses.

Incidents grew during pandemic

The number of offenses nationwide grew in 2020 even as many people were grounded by the COVID-19 pandemic and the lack of flights that came with it, according to the report.

Between 2010 and 2020, the United States and its territories had 57,835 incidents of lasers pointed at planes.

“Many high-powered lasers have the ability to incapacitate pilots, thus threatening the safety of everyone on board and within the vicinity of the aircraft,” FAA said in its new report.

The agency used a new software program to track laser incidents. Iowa ranked 40th in laser incidents per capita. 

Every Midwestern state but Wisconsin had more incidents than Iowa on that basis. 

California led nation in lasers pointed at planes

California had the most incidents with 11,198. That was the nearly double second-place Texas’ 5,802. Hawaii ranked first in the per-capita ratings.

Nationally, laser-pointing incidents involving aircraft over the past decade hit a high 7,383 in 2016, then dropped to 5,663 before rising to 6,852 in 2020, FAA reported. 

In raw numbers, Saturdays saw the most lasers pointed at planes. Fridays were second. 

Although it didn’t address pilots or flights, the Iowa Legislation addressed assaults using lasers in its “Back the Blue Act,” Senate File 342. The law made it a serious misdemeanor to point lasers at various public safety officials. The offense is an aggravated misdemeanor if an officer, firefighter or other official is injured, and a felony if weapons are involved.