Authorities Probe Laser Pointed At Plane In NJ Airport: FAA

TETERBORO, NJ - Local police were notified by federal officials after the crew of a private jet reported a laser being pointed at the aircraft Tuesday, officials said.

The incident happened while the Air Alsie Flight 6771, a Dassault Falcon 7X jet, was arriving at Teterboro Airport in Teterboro, N.J. at around 5 p.m., a Federal Aviation Administration spokesperson told Patch.

Crews complained of a blue laser pointed at the aircraft at the time of arrival, the spokesperson said. According to Department of Transportation data, laser incidents, known as “laser strikes,” are serious safety threats that can impact a pilot's ability to safely navigate - and it's a threat that rises each year.

The FAA received 9,723 laser strike reports from pilots in 2021, the highest number reported by the agency to date, according to the Department of Transportation. Those who shine lasers at an aircraft face fines from the FAA up to $11,000 for a single violation and up to $30,800 for several violations. In 2021, $120,000 in fines were issued to violators.

Those who shine lasers at aircrafts can also face federal, state and local law enforcement action, according to the Department of Transportation. In New Jersey, there have been 1,011 laser events since 2010.

The FAA informed local law enforcement of the incident. A request for comment from Teterboro police was not immediately returned.