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The Federal Aviation Administration announced Wednesday that it will begin to impose civil penalties against people who point lasers at aircraft. It could be important to Salt Lake City International Airport, which has a high rate of such incidents.
"Shining a laser into the cockpit of an aircraft is not a joke. These lasers can temporarily blind a pilot and make it impossible to safely land the aircraft," said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood added, "We will not hesitate to take tough action against anyone who threatens the safety of our passengers, pilots and air transportation system."
The FAA announced that it is interpreting that pointing a laser into a cockpit is interfering with a flight crew, and said it will begin to impose fines of up to $11,000 per violation.
Last year, Salt Lake City International Airport formally reported 36 such incidents, which tied with Miami International for 13th highest among U.S. airports in 2010. Los Angeles International had the most (102), followed by Chicago O'Hare (98) and Phoenix Sky Harbor and San Jose International (both with 80).
Salt Lake airport officials have said investigations last year showed "different sources from around the valley" for lasers pointed at aircraft in the Salt Lake area.
For example, in January, a medical helicopter leaving the University of Utah reported it was hit with a powerful green laser at night in the cockpit. The pilot said he has been hit by a laser four times in the past three years.
In November, a medical helicopter also reported being hit with a green laser in the cockpit as it flew near Utah State University in Logan.
In 2004, media reports said a Delta Air Lines pilot suffered a burned retina after his cockpit was hit by a laser as it approached Salt Lake City International. The plane landed safely.
Besides the new civil penalties, the FAA notes that many cities and states have made it a criminal offense to shine lasers at aircraft. Legislation to make it a federal criminal offense to intentionally shine lasers at aircraft is pending in Congress.