Green Laser Pointed Toward Four Aircraft Over Boston

Three airlines have reported aircraft laser incidents outside of Boston Logan Airport, with the incidents occurring roughly within 24 hours of one another. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched an investigation and a manhunt is underway for the culprit.

Pilots Report Laser Pointed Toward Aircraft Near Boston Logan Airport

Pilots from three different carriers reported the incident:

• Alaska Airlines
• Delta Air Lines
• JetBlue Airways

On Tuesday, Alaska Airlines flight 836 was illuminated by laser just after 5:00 am. The day before, JetBlue reported two laser incidents (on flight 536 and 988) and Delta Air Lines reported a laser incident on flight 803 at 5:40am.

In all cases, the laser was green in color.

This is a critical issue. The FAA warns:

“Many high-powered lasers can completely incapacitate pilots who are trying to fly safely to their destinations and may be carrying hundreds of passengers.”

Those who are guilty of pointing a laser at aircraft are not only jerks, but guilty of breaking federal law.

I recently experienced a laser incident just over the So-Fi Center on approach to Los Angeles International Airport. It was also a green laser and though it lasted only a few seconds, it still could have damaged not just to the pilots, but to anyone looking out the starboard side of the aircraft.

CONCLUSION

Pilots on four different flights reported a green laser was shined at them during the early morning hours over Boston earlier this week. The FAA is investigating.

Incidents like this bring out the “eye for an eye” in me. I wonder how many lasers would be pointed at aircraft if the punishment for doing so was shining the laser directly into the eyes of the assailant?