Police are looking for a person who shined a laser into the cockpit of a UPS plane that was flying to Philadelphia above Blair County on Tuesday.
The laser temporarily blinded two pilots flying the plane from Pittsburgh, who were later treated at a suburban hospital in Philadelphia, according to CBS Local.
Earl Maxwell, one of the pilots, said laser pointers are among the many problems he and other pilots face while flying, adding that such distractions could be "extremely dangerous."
"There's no difference in shooting a laser and shooting a rifle at a plane. You're creating a hazard," said Maxwell, who spent over 1,500 hours in the cockpit.
State police and the FAA are currently conducting an investigation into the incident.
Pilots are instructed to keep their head down and not rub their eyes, as well as ignore the burning sensation that takes place, according to Aviation Pros.
Pointing a laser into a cockpit is considered a federal crime.
"If you've been hit directly on, you feel like your eyes are filled with sands," said Mike Karn, president of the Coalition of Airline Pilots Association, who said he was "lazed" a few months ago.
"I have had some of my pilots get hurt and report to the doctor," he added.
Dr. James Eadie said green lasers available online are much more harmful to your eyes than the red lasers sold at stores, CBS Local.
"If the power is higher, even a small exposure can do damage to the retina," Eadie said.
Recent reports suggest an increase in laser pointer incidents. The Federal Aviation Administration reported 384 cases in 2006 involving people flashing lasers at planes, a number that grew to almost 4,000 cases in 2013.
