BUFFALO, N.Y. — Aiming a laser is a safety hazard and a violation of federal law. It's also a problem that the Federal Aviation Administration is attempting to curb.
There have been 16 reported laser strikes involving planes in and around Buffalo Niagara International Airport, according to recent data provided by the FAA. The laser incidents started with three in February, followed by five in March. In fact, two laser strikes were reported on the same day, July 21.
Nationwide, pilots reported more than 13,000 laser strikes to the FAA in 2023.
"Laser attacks in the state of New York continue to be consistently high," the FAA said Thursday in a statement.
A Cheektowaga man was arrested back in March following a complaint that a laser was pointed at an aircraft as the plane approached the airport. That man faces at least five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
"The FAA conducts outreach to educate the public about the hazards of lasers aimed at aircraft," the FAA said. "We also work closely with other federal agencies and state and local governments to report and investigate incidents, help apprehend suspects, and advocate for the prosecution of offenders."