FAA investigates green laser pointed at United flight

The Federal Aviation Administration said it is investigating after a United Airlines crew reported a green laser was pointed at its aircraft near Newark Liberty International Airport late on May 13. ABC7 New York and News 12 New York reported the crew said the laser illuminated the plane at about 11:25 p.m. over Teaneck, New Jersey, roughly 14 miles from the airport. The flight landed safely, according to the FAA. The agency said local law enforcement was notified and an investigation is underway. ### Which flight was involved, and where did the laser appear? News 12 New York reported the aircraft was United Airlines Flight 921. A Federal Aviation Administration spokesperson told the outlet the crew reported being illuminated by a green laser while the plane was over the Teaneck area. ABC7 New York reported the same timing and distance, saying the crew saw the laser around 11:25 p.m. on Wednesday night and that the aircraft was about 14 miles from Newark Liberty at the time. (abc7ny.com) The station said the FAA confirmed the investigation on May 15 after the crew report on May 14. (newyork.news12.com) ### Why do federal officials treat a laser strike as a serious event? The FAA says pointing a laser at an aircraft is a federal crime. The agency says lasers can distract or debilitate pilots, creating a safety risk during critical phases of flight, including approach and landing. (abc7ny.com) The FAA told News 12 that its air traffic control facilities quickly relay pilot laser-strike reports to the appropriate local law enforcement agency. The agency said police are in the best position to investigate immediately on the ground. ### What penalties can someone face if authorities identify the person? (abc7ny.com) The FAA says violators can face civil penalties of up to $11,000 per violation. ABC7 and News 12 also reported that offenders may face federal criminal penalties including up to five years in prison and fines up to $250,000, along with possible state and local penalties. (newyork.news12.com) The FBI’s Newark field office and New Jersey State Police issued a public warning in December 2024 about people pointing lasers at manned aircraft after mistaking them for drones or other objects. The agencies said such misidentification can have “dangerous and possibly deadly consequences” if a manned aircraft is targeted. (abc7ny.com) ### How common are laser strikes on aircraft? The FAA says pilots reported 10,993 laser strikes nationwide in 2025, according to figures cited by ABC7. The agency’s laser incident page says pilots reported 12,840 laser strikes in 2024, and it said those reports remained at high levels. (fbi.gov) ABC News reported in late 2024 that laser-strike reports in New Jersey had risen sharply during a period of public concern over possible drone sightings. The FAA said at the time it had received dozens of new laser reports from pilots in airspace spanning New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. ### What happens next in the Newark case? (abc7ny.com) The FAA said the aircraft landed safely and that local law enforcement was notified after the crew report. Neither the FAA material available here nor the local reports identified a suspect as of May 15. The next public details are likely to come from the FAA, local police or federal law enforcement if investigators identify where the laser originated or make an arrest. (abcnews.com) As of May 15, the confirmed facts were the crew report, the location near Teaneck and the FAA investigation. (abc7ny.com)