(PatriotWise.com)- The FBI announced a reward of up to $10,000 this week for information leading to the identity, arrest, and conviction of the person responsible for shooting lasers at planes at Sea-Tac Airport.
Over 100 different laser incidents have been observed by aircraft surrounding Sea-Tac since March 9, 2022, with some originating in White Center and Highland Park. There have been no arrests thus yet.
According to the FBI, there has been a significant rise in laser incidents involving incoming commercial aircraft at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport since the beginning of 2022.
During their approach to land at Sea-Tac, pilots have noticed a green laser lighting and following the cockpit of their aircraft.
Neighborhoods with documented incidences include SeaTac, South Park, Highland Park, White Center, Burien, Normandy Park, and Des Moines.
Lasers aimed at an airplane can obstruct landings and raise the risk of a crash; they also imperil the surrounding neighborhoods and residents.
The FBI has partnered with several local and federal authorities to identify and locate the person responsible for the laser attacks and is requesting public assistance in this investigation.
H. Rept. 112-11 – Securing Aircraft Cockpits Against Lasers Act of 2011 –
A laser, when aimed at an aircraft, can create a visual distraction or cause discomfort or even damage to a pilot’s eyes. H.R. 386 addresses the high number of incidents involving lasers being pointed at aircraft while in flight. Many of these incidents are occurring during the take-off and landing portion of a flight, when the pilots need to be most alert. The Federal Aviation Administration has reported that pilots have had to relinquish control of their aircraft to their copilot.
U.S.C. TITLE 18, CHAPTER 2
Sec. 39A. Aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft
(a) OFFENSE — Whoever knowingly aims the beam of a laser pointer at an aircraft in the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States, or at the flight path of such an aircraft, shall be fined under this title {maximum of $250,000} or imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both.
Please call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324), your local FBI office, the nearest American Embassy or Consulate, or submit a report online at tips.fbi.gov if you have any information about these laser strikes.
The FBI has made a statement in a Tweet-
The #FBI offers a reward of up to $10,000 for info leading to the id, arrest, & conviction of those responsible for pointing lasers at aircraft landing around SeaTac airport in Washington State. Since Jan 2022, there have been 100+ green laser incidents.
