The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is currently investigating a laser strike incident that involved a Delta Air Lines flight as it was approaching Boston's Logan Airport. On the evening of Sunday, the crew of Delta Flight 2088 reported being targeted by a green laser beam, which was noted around 10:10 p.m., just nine miles northeast of the airport. The flight, which originated from Austin, Texas, proceeded to land safely, facing only a slight delay of four minutes behind schedule, according to WHDH News.

In a related development, authorities from Massachusetts State Police responded to the incident shortly after the crew reported it, investigating a commercial shopping center in Fall River as the potential source of the laser strike. WCVB reported that the investigation to identify the individual responsible is still ongoing, despite there being no injuries reported at the time of the event.

The FAA has been increasingly concerned about such incidents, noting that there have been nearly 8,000 reports of laser strikes across the country in 2024, with 61 of these occurrences specifically reported over Massachusetts. In 2023 alone, pilots reported an alarming 13,304 laser strikes to the FAA. These incidents are considered highly dangerous as they can distract or temporarily blind pilots during critical phases of flight, such as takeoff and landing.

Past occurrences in the Boston area included a notable incident in September 2023, where a Coast Guard helicopter crew was targeted by a laser while attempting a landing at Massachusetts General Hospital. The action which resulted in the arrest of a 59-year-old Boston man, indicted for aiming a laser pointer at the aircraft, could face serious penalties including a potential five-year prison term. This was later covered by Boston 25 News reporting a possible fine of $250,000 and three years of supervised release if found guilty.