FAA: Over 300 laser strikes reported by Indiana pilots in 2024

(WXIN/WTTV) — The Federal Aviation Administration is warning Hoosiers about shining lasers at airplanes overhead, citing over 300 reports of laser strikes in Indiana this year.

The FAA released a report Thursday collecting laser strike reports from across the world, with over 13,000 pilots reporting them in 2024. The administration has logged 317 such instances in the Hoosier State.

“Laser attacks in the state of Indiana continue to be consistently high,” a release read. “Aiming a laser at an aircraft is a serious safety hazard that puts everyone on the plane and on the ground below at risk. It is also a violation of federal law.”

FAA data shows that a vast majority of the reports – 243 – come from Indianapolis. Other cities with reports included Evansville (11), Fort Wayne (27), Gary (1), South Bend (20), and Terre Haute (15).

According to the FAA website, the group may impose civil penalties of up to $11,000 against anyone found to have shined a laser pointer at a plane. The FAA has imposed civil penalties of up to $30,800 against people for multiple laser incidents.

“Many high-powered lasers can incapacitate pilots flying aircraft that may be carrying hundreds of passengers,” the FAA said.

The FAA encourages all Hoosiers to report any laser strike occurrences at this link .

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