US EditionFBI seeking information on increased incidents of lasers affecting planes in Spokane, Seattle
- Individuals pointed lasers at aircraft near Spokane and Seattle airports since March 2024.
- Pilots reported a significant increase in these incidents, especially during landing approaches.
- The lasers momentarily blind pilots, making reading instruments difficult and risking flight safety.
- Washington state reported 43 incidents in 2023, increasing to 383 in 2024 and 106 in early 2025.
- The FBI investigates these incidents, recently arresting Rusty Flett, 45, for pointing a green laser.
18 Articles
18 Articles
FBI Seeks Info on Plane Laser Shinings in Wash. State
The FBI Seattle field office is requesting the public provide any information on lasers being shined at planes at the Seattle-Tacoma and Spokane international airports. According to Federal Aviation Administration data, from March to December 2024, there were 639 incidents of lasers being shined at planes. The FBI does not believe that the events of lasers being shined at the two airports are connected. Shining a laser at a plane is a federal of…
FBI Seattle field office seeking public information on laser incidents against planes
The FBI Seattle field office is asking the public to provide any information they may have on a spate of laser strikes near the Seattle-Tacoma and Spokane international airports in Washington state over the last year.
FBI investigates ‘dramatic’ surge of laser strikes near Washington airports
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has been investigating a "dramatic increase" in dangerous laser strikes at several Washington state airports, authorities said. Pilots landing at Seattle-Tacoma and Spokane International Airport have experienced a surge of allusive sci-fi green lasers shining in their cockpits in recent months, including the recent arrest of a man who allegedly...
FBI investigates laser crimes at Washington airports
The FBI is working to stop a surge of laser-pointing incidents involving airplanes in the Seattle and Spokane areas. “Since March 2024, aircraft in the surrounding areas of Seattle-Tacoma (SeaTac – SEA) and Spokane (GEG) International Airports in Washington state have experienced a dramatic increase in laser incidents,” according to an FBI news release. “Pilots landing at the airports have experienced a laser illuminating and tracking the cockpi…
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