Local

Laser pointed at 2 planes preparing to land at Charlotte Douglas

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Officials said someone pointed a laser at two planes as they were getting ready to land at Charlotte Douglas International Airport Sunday night, an American Airlines flight and a Delta flight.

In July, someone pointed a laser at a medical helicopter flying into Charlotte from Concord.

Channel 9 checked with the Federal Aviation Administration and this year, 58 cases have been reported in Charlotte.

Nationwide, there have been 5,487 this year.

Pointing a laser at a plane is a federal crime with a punishment of up to two years in prison. Some argue there should be longer prison sentences.