FAA probes green laser incident near Newark

A United Airlines crew reported that a green laser illuminated its aircraft while it was approaching Newark Liberty International Airport late on May 13, and the Federal Aviation Administration is investigating, according to the agency and local news reports. The flight was United Flight 921, and the report was made while the aircraft was still miles from the airport, according to the FAA. ABC7 New York reported on May 15 that the matter had been referred to federal authorities. (northjersey.com) The incident adds to a long-running aviation safety problem that federal officials say remains widespread. (abc7ny.com) ### Which flight reported the laser, and where was it? United Flight 921 reported being illuminated by a green laser at about 11:25 p.m. on Wednesday, May 13, according to an FAA spokesperson quoted by NorthJersey.com and ABC7 New York. The aircraft was about 14 miles from Newark Liberty when the crew made the report, the FAA said. Teaneck, New Jersey, was identified by News 12, as cited in search results, as the area over which the laser strike was reported. ABC7 New York said the crew reported the laser while the plane was still miles from Newark. (northjersey.com) ### What have federal officials said so far? The Federal Aviation Administration said it is investigating the incident involving United Flight 921 near Newark, according to statements reported by ABC7 New York and NorthJersey.com. ABC7 said the case was referred to federal authorities. (northjersey.com) The FAA’s laser-safety page says pointing a laser at an aircraft is a federal crime. The agency said pilots reported 12,840 laser strikes nationwide in 2024, a level the FAA described as still high. ### Why are green lasers treated as a flight-safety issue? (newjersey.news12.com) The FAA says lasers can distract or temporarily impair pilots during critical phases of flight, including approach and landing. The agency has run a public-awareness campaign around the issue and directs pilots and the public to report incidents through its laser-incident system. Federal law and enforcement actions have long treated laser strikes as more than a nuisance because aircraft crews can be affected even when the beam originates miles away from the airport. (abc7ny.com) In this case, the FAA said the United crew reported the illumination while still 14 miles from Newark. (faa.gov) ### Has Newark seen laser incidents before? Newark Liberty has faced earlier laser reports. An Associated Press report from a prior period said the FAA investigated two laser incidents involving flights near Newark, with crews reporting lasers southwest of the airport. (faa.gov) The May 13 report comes during a period of heightened attention on Newark-area aviation incidents. Earlier this month, a separate United flight approaching Newark struck a light pole and a tractor-trailer on the New Jersey Turnpike, prompting a federal investigation, according to FAA and local reports. (northjersey.com) ### What happens next in this case? The FAA investigation is now the formal next step, and ABC7 New York reported on May 15 that federal authorities are handling the referral tied to the crew’s report. Neither the FAA material surfaced in the reporting nor the local reports identified a suspect or announced charges as of May 15. (apnews.com) The FAA’s laser-incident page says reports can be submitted through the agency’s system, and enforcement can involve federal authorities when a source is identified. As of Friday, May 15, the publicly reported facts were the flight number, the time, the distance from Newark and the agency investigation. (faa.gov 1) (faa.gov 2) (abc7ny.com)