Aircraft and Laser Incidents

FAA considers each laser incident an in-flight emergency, because of the potential for an accident and adverse effects of lasers on pilots. FAA data show the number of incidents in 2021 was the highest on record, with 9,273 incidents reported--an increase of about 42 percent from 2020. GAO analyzed FAA and Department of Justice data from July 2016 through September 2020 on enforcement actions; and interviewed 15 aviation and local law enforcement entities to obtain a range of perspectives. GAO is recommending that FAA determine what information is most useful for investigating laser incidents and how best to collect and share it with law enforcement; routinely seek investigation and enforcement data from agencies for reporting to Congress; and explore re-establishing an interagency working group to collaborate on laser incident outreach.