Laser Strike On Boston JetBlue Flight Investigated By FAA

BOSTON, MA — The FAA is investigating a laser strike on a JetBlue flight near Boston early Thursday morning, the agency said in a statement.

The flight crews of JetBlue Airways Flights 494 and 972 reported being illuminated by a green laser near the city around 5:40 a.m., officials said. No injuries were reported.

The incident has been reported to local authorities and the FAA is investigating, according to officials.

Pointing a laser at an aircraft is a federal crime, according to the FAA. People who shine lasers at aircraft face FAA fines of up to $11,000 per violation and up to $30,800 for multiple laser incidents, officials said.

A laser pointed at the sky can distract or temporarily blind a plane's pilot, potentially putting the lives of passengers at risk, according to the FAA.

Pilots reported nearly 9,500 laser strikes in 2022, and the FAA issued $120,000 in fines for laser strikes in 2021, according to the agency.

This story is being updated.