Contributor - Accidents and Regulations

Contributor - Accidents and Regulations

Gordon Gilbert

Although shining a laser at aircraft is against federal and state laws and may result in civil penalties of up to $11,000 per violation and up to $30,800 for multiple incidents, the frequency of laser events is increasing. This is according to a newly released <a href="mailto:https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/aoc.web.management/viz/LaserEventViz/LaserEvents20102020">FAA interactive webpage</a> detailing data from more than 57,800 reported incidents between 2010 to 2020.

 


The FAA said that despite greatly reduced flying hours in 2020 due to the pandemic, pilots reported 6,852 laser strikes last year versus 6,136 in 2019. In addition, the number of incidents reported last year was the highest annual total in a decade since the peak of 7,383 reported in 2016.

 


The agency also revealed that there have been nearly 200 reports by flight crews of injuries resulting from laser strikes between 2010 and 2020. According to the data, about one of every four laser strikes occur below 3,000 feet agl.

 


California led the nation by far, with 11,198 incident reports over the last decade. Texas, which came in second, had just 5,802 reported events between 2010 and 2020. On a per capita basis, Hawaii averaged 64 events per 100,000 people over the 10-year period. Meanwhile, the FAA has issued $600,000 in civil penalties&nbsp;since 2016, which includes $120,000 imposed so far this year.

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

FAA: Laser Strikes on Aircraft Increasing

The frequency of laser strikes on aircraft is a growing problem, according to the FAA.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charles Alcock

Kaleyesus Bekele

News and issues concerning the aviation charter and fractional-ownership industries and markets, including company announcements, regulations, new developments and labor issues.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Industry group presses for regulatory progress and continuity across the continent 

African Bizav Strives for Greater Market Opportunity

Amy Wilder

News about simulators and training procedures, as well as workforce.

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Rule would not apply to insulin-treated diabetes

FAA Proposes Easing Medical Approvals for Diabetic Pilots

Kerry Lynch

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

More In Regulations and Government

African Bizav Strives for Greater Market Opportunity

Industry group presses for regulatory progress and continuity across the continent

FAA Proposes Easing Medical Approvals for Diabetic Pilots

Rule would not apply to insulin-treated diabetes

Congress OKs Stopgap Government Funding Measure

Move averts potential shutdown

Longtime Bizav Attorney Gary Garofalo Flies West

His career spanned more than five and a half decades

New Treasury Rule Limits LLC Information Reporting

The revision relaxes some provisions of the Corporate Transparency Act

Nancy Kassebaum, Architect of GA Product Liability Reform, Dies

Kassebaum pushed through the General Aviation Revitalization Act

Nav Canada Increases ATC Service Charges

Increased fees are to recover pandemic shortfall

FAA InFO Outlines CVR Upgrade Deadlines

Larger new bizav aircraft face 2027 deadline, while small new turbine bizav aircraft have 2029 deadline

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN