WASHINGTON, D.C.— The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported Wednesday that laser strikes on aircraft fell for the second consecutive year in 2025, though officials warn the numbers remain dangerously high. Pilots reported 10,994 laser strikes last year, representing a 14% decrease from 2024.
While the downward trend is encouraging, the FAA maintains that even a single strike is a significant safety risk. “Even one laser strike is too many when pilots have hundreds of lives in their hands,” said Ben Supko, Associate Administrator for the Security and Intelligence Organization.
The Danger in the Cockpit
Shining a laser at an aircraft is a federal crime that can have catastrophic consequences. These high-intensity beams can temporarily blind or incapacitate pilots, particularly during critical flight phases like takeoff and landing.
Since the FAA began tracking these incidents in 2010, pilots have reported 337 laser-related injuries. The risk is often magnified by the aircraft’s windscreen, which can spread and intensify the light.
The FAA data highlights specific states where laser activity remains most prevalent. California and Texas continue to lead the nation in reported incidents.
Here is the list of the top 10 states for pilot-reported laser strikes in 2025, based on the data provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA):
- California: 1,309
- Texas: 1,100
- Florida: 654
- Illinois: 620
- Arizona: 574
- Washington: 484
- Tennessee: 431
- Indiana: 370
- New York: 369
- Virginia: 353
Severe Penalties for Violators
The FAA and law enforcement agencies are utilizing a “strong pilot reporting culture” to identify and prosecute offenders. Individuals caught shining lasers at aircraft face a gauntlet of penalties:
- FAA Civil Fines: Up to $11,000 per violation.
- Federal Criminal Penalties: Up to five years in federal prison and fines reaching $250,000.
- Local Prosecution: Additional state and local criminal penalties depending on jurisdiction.
The FAA encourages the public to use its digital visualization tool to track trends in their own communities and to report any witnessed laser strikes to local law enforcement immediately.
