# 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.
- Title: Laser strikes on planes drop for third year straight
- Summary: 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…
- Keywords: faa, laser strikes, aircraft safety, aviation, federal crime, pilot safety, 2026, california, texas, new mexico, hawaii, technology
- Source: Engadget — https://engadget.com/2261903/faa-says-laser-strikes-on-aircraft-fell-for-the-third-consecutive-year
- Author: Anna Washenko
- Published: 2026-09-17T22:15:46+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: faa, laser strikes, aircraft safety, aviation, federal crime, pilot safety, 2026, california, texas, new mexico, hawaii, technology
## 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.
## Key takeaway

Laser strikes on aircraft are declining but remain a serious federal crime with steep penalties.