The Federal Aviation Administration reports that there were 20 aircrafts hit by dangerous handheld laser beams while flying above different areas in the United States on Nov. 11.
While no injuries were incurred, the FAA reminds the public that "shining a laser at an aircraft is a federal crime," Reuters reports.
The laser strikes occurred with aircrafts travelling in New York, Salt Lake City, Detroit, Los Angeles, Albuquerque, Sacramento, Newark, N.J., Jamestown, N.Y., Oakland, Calif., Covington, Kty., Danville, Kty., Palm Springs, Calif., Ontario, Calif., St. Petersburg, Fla., Springfield, Ill. and San Juan, Puerto Rico, according to News Max.
Despite the same day occurrence, the FAA says the incidents did not seem to be connected to each other.
Laser beams can cause troubles for pilots as it can cause temporary blindness. In the 5,352 incidents of laser beam attacks recorded from the start of 2015 until Oct. 16, there have already been many cases in which pilots sustained eye injuries that required medical treatment, Reuters adds.
On Wednesday, a man was arrested in New York City. A news helicopter was struck by the laser while flying over the Barclays Center arena in Brooklyn. The pilot of the chopper alerted air traffic control which in turn notified the New York Police Department, USA Today reports.
