The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has issued a warning about a significant rise in laser strikes at Seattle-Tacoma and Spokane International Airports since March 2024. The Bureau is seeking public assistance in identifying those responsible for these incidents.
The FBI reported that aircraft in the vicinity of these airports have experienced a surge in laser incidents, particularly when planes are on approach. The situation has been noted in five neighborhoods in Spokane and eight in Seattle. Although the agency suspects multiple individuals are involved, it does not believe the incidents in Seattle and Spokane are connected.
“The FBI has worked with multiple local and federal agencies in an attempt to identify and locate the individual(s) responsible for these laser strikes and is seeking information from the public regarding these incidents. Lasers pointed at an aircraft can interfere with landing and can increase the risk of injury to flight crew, passengers, and citizens within the local area,” said the FBI in an April 23 statement.
This isn’t the first time the FBI office in Seattle has expressed concerns about laser attacks on aircraft. Back in April 2022, the agency offered a $10,000 reward for information about those responsible for similar strikes around Seattle-Tacoma. During the early months of 2022, the FBI had documented over 100 laser strikes at this major Northwestern city airport.
Since the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) began tracking laser-related incidents in 2010, there has been a consistent increase in the intentional targeting of aircraft with lasers. “Many types of high-powered lasers can incapacitate pilots, many of whom are flying airplanes with hundreds of passengers,” the FBI noted.
FAA records indicate that at least 2,800 laser strikes were reported by airline and general aviation pilots between January 1 and March 31, 2024, and a notable portion of these occurred in March. Despite a slight year-on-year decrease in 2024, laser strikes remain a significant safety threat to aviation, which involves federal law penalties.
On March 26, 2024, the FAA highlighted a year-on-year 3% decrease in incidents, with California and Texas reporting the highest number of strikes. Shining lasers at aircraft remains a federal offense, with potential civil penalties reaching $11,000 per violation.
