CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Federal Aviation Administration and the FBI are investigating after another pilot's report that someone pointed a laser into the cockpit as a plane was landing at Charlotte's Douglas International Airport.
The pilot of an American Eagle jet said a laser beam shined into their cockpit around 9:20 p.m. Sunday.
The plane landed safely but the incident is part of an alarming trend.
Pilots have reported laser beams in their cockpits here 37 times already this year. In 2015, there were 48 reports.
Chopper 9 pilot Andy Holt said anytime a laser hits the cockpit, even momentarily, it can be dangerous.
"Just that short amount of blindness can really throw you off," Holt said.
Holt said even a short burst of laser light can also cause long term damage to a pilot's eyes.
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Cox Media Group