If you see a laser being used in an unsafe manner around aircraft or vehicles, notify any local authorities first. In the U.S., dial 911 or your local police department.
In addition, for U.S. aircraft incidents, notify the Federal Aviation Administration. There is a telephone staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 202-267-8276 (this is FAA System Operations Security). You may also email them at LaserReports@faa.gov and/or fax them at 202-267-5289.
What to report
- Date and time of the incident
- Your viewing location
- Apparent location or source of the laser beam (what direction? how far away?)
- If the aircraft was landing or taking off, what is the name of the airport?
- Color of the laser beam
- Apparent power of the beam (very visible? visible only as a dot on objects?)
- How the laser was used (deliberate targeting of aircraft? accidental illumination?)
- Duration of the laser use
- Whether you saw the laser illuminate the aircraft
- Any change or action taken by the aircraft
- OPTIONAL: Contact information for you, in case follow-up contact is needed
For pilots
If you are a pilot who experiences or sees a laser incident while in the air, report it on the assigned or an appropriate frequency.
Once you have reached the ground, fill out and file the Laser Beam Exposure Questionnaire included in FAA Advisory Circular 70-2, “Reporting of Laser Illumination of Aircraft”. Items to report include:
- Your name and telephone
- Date and time of the incident (UTC)
- Aircraft call sign, tail number and type
- Location
- Aircraft altitude and heading
- Laser color
- Approximate bearing and distance of laser origin from aircraft
- Cockpit illuminated?
- Any flight crew injuries or effects?
Use the contact information above to email or phone the FAA.