Authorities are probing a series of unsettling incidents that occurred at Boston's Logan Airport yesterday. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the crews of three commercial flights—operating under United Airlines Flight 2356, Southwest Airlines Flight 559, and Republic Airways Flight 4580—reported being targeted by a green laser as they approached the airport, as mentioned in a report by Boston 25 News.
The FAA has made it known that such actions pose a significant threat to flight safety; as pilots could be blinded or disoriented by the laser beams, there's potential peril not just for those in the cockpit but also for the many souls aboard the passenger seats. In a statement obtained by NBC Boston, the FAA recounted last year's tally of laser strikes, which stood at 12,840 nationwide—a slight dip, from the previous year. The authorities are currently working with local law enforcement in response to these occurrences.
For those considering laser pointers as mere toys, the stakes are high. Targeting aircraft with lasers is a federal crime, carrying the weight of fines and the shadow of prison bars—up to $250,000 or five years inside. This alarming trio of incidents is now under close examination, and while the skies above Boston returned to their routine hum, the FAA has been clear: No injuries were thankfully reported following yesterday's laser incidents.
Amidst these laser light disturbances, the FAA continues its vocal appeal for vigilance; urging the public to report any such strikes promptly. No arrests have been reported following yesterday's laser occurrences.
