A helicopter crew reported being struck by a laser while landing at a Boston hospital yesterday. According to WHDH, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched an investigation into this occurrence, emphasizing the imminent need to address this pervasive issue.
The alarming detail doesn't stop here, as just hours before this incident, two JetBlue flight crews reported being illuminated by a laser in close proximity to Boston's Logan Airport according to Global Village Space. Despite stringent laws deeming targeting aircraft with lasers a federal crime, records indicate a staggering 9,500 laser strikes in 2022 alone as reported by CBS News.
These incidents are not taken lightly, as the high stakes involved put both pilots, passengers, and those below at risk due to the temporary disorientation or blindness caused by lasers. Aviation expert and former Massport Director Tom Kinton elaborates on the reality of this menace, stating that incidents involving lasers and aircraft are "happening way too often" according to WHDH. The temporary blindness associated with laser strikes, which may take several seconds for vision to recover, jeopardizes the safety of pilots and passengers, especially during critical phases of flight such as takeoff or landing.
In addition to visual impairment during these essential moments, laser strikes stand to harm sensitive optical equipment on board aircraft, further exacerbating the hazardous conditions created as stated by Global Village Space.
