CHARLOTTE — An American Airlines flight was struck by a laser near Charlotte Douglas International Airport Thursday morning, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
It happened around 7 a.m. about 5 miles away from the airport.
According to a statement from the administration, American Airlines Flight 3114 reported being illuminated by a blue laser. Thankfully, the flight landed safely.
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The FAA says shining a laser at an aircraft can endanger both pilots and passengers on board. It is also a federal crime. Perpetrators could face hefty fines and time in prison.
Laser beams pointed at airplanes at Charlotte Douglas Airport have been a problem for years. Across the U.S., pilots reported 10,993 laser strikes to the FAA last year. The administration says while that is a 12% decrease from 2024, the numbers are still too high.
The FAA and local authorities are investigating the incident.
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