DALLAS – The FAA confirmed aircraft reported eight laser strikes near Love Field Airport in Dallas in one hour on Sunday night.
News 8 has reached out to the Dallas Police Department to see if they were alerted to the strikes and, if so, if they were able to locate a suspect.
Earlier this month, six laser strikes around Love Field were recorded over two nights. At the time, Dallas police searched for the offender with their helicopter, Air One, but they were unable to find him or her.
According to the FAA, the problem of laser strikes on aircraft has grown substantially this year. In 2014, a total of 3,900 laser strikes were reported nationwide. Through just Oct. 16 of 2015, 5,352 incidents had been reported this year.
When a laser hits a cockpit, it can create a flash in the cockpit that blinds pilots. In some cases, pilots have had to give up controls of their aircraft for others to land safely after a laser strike.
Dallas police told News 8 earlier this month they respond to two-to-three laser strike calls a week. Air One attempts to duplicate the location where the aircraft reported the laser strike and waits for the suspect to try it again. The Air One crew has protective goggles that filter out the laser light and keep the pilots safe.
Pointing a laser at an aircraft is a felony that carries a maximum of 20 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000. Additionally, the FAA can impose a civil fine of $11,000 for each violation if a perpetrator is caught.
