From Engadget · Anna Washenko · · 1m 20s
Laser strikes on planes drop for third year straight
The FAA reports a 24 percent decline in reported incidents, but thousands of pilots are still being targeted.
In brief
The FAA reports a 24 percent decline in reported incidents, but thousands of pilots are still being targeted. Laser strikes on aircraft are declining but remain a serious federal crime with steep penalties. Originally reported by Engadget.
Laser strikes keep dropping
The FAA reported a 24 percent decline in laser strikes on aircraft from January to July 2026 compared to the same period in 2025. This marks the third consecutive year of decreases.
Still thousands of incidents
Despite the improvement, there were still 4,470 reported laser strikes on planes between January and July 2026. That's a significant number of safety threats in just seven months.
California and Texas lead incidents
California reported 614 laser strikes and Texas reported 445, the highest totals among US states. Per capita, New Mexico and Hawaii were the leading offenders.
Serious injuries and safety risk
Pilots have reported 322 injuries from laser strikes since the FAA began tracking them in 2010. The FAA calls laser strikes a serious safety threat.
“Shining a laser at an aircraft poses a serious safety threat and is a federal crime.”
Heavy penalties for offenders
People who shine lasers at aircraft face FAA fines up to $11,000 per violation, plus federal criminal penalties of up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The main idea
Laser strikes on aircraft are declining but remain a serious federal crime with steep penalties.
