Congressman Sires' Statement on Aircraft Laser Illuminations in New Jersey

Statement

Today, Congressman Sires released the following statement regarding the 11 commercial flights that reported lasers directed at their aircrafts as they flew over New Jersey last night:

"I am very concerned by the increasing trend of handheld lasers being pointed at aircrafts. Reports of aircraft laser illuminations have risen sharply. These incidents, many of which are conducted without malicious intent, can have unintentional, dangerous consequences.

When pointed at the cockpit of an airplane, lasers have the ability to temporarily blind the pilot, leading to safety concerns for both the pilot and the passengers they are transporting. This dangerous act was made a federal crime in the Federal Aviation Administration Modernization and Reform Act.

I will be sending a letter to the Federal Aviation Administration asking them to follow up with the results of their investigation of these eleven incidents. Ensuring the safety of our airline pilots is vital to maintaining a safe and effective aviation system."

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