3 Flight Crews Report ‘Green Laser’ Targeting Planes Near Boston

Three flight crews in and out of Boston reported a mysterious green laser near the airport on Monday, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) revealed. 

According to a statement issued by the FAA, crews from United Airlines flight 2356 from San Francisco, Southwest Airlines flight 559 to Nashville and Republic Airways flight 4580 to New York City “all reported being illuminated by a green laser while operating near Boston Logan International Airport on Monday evening, Sept. 15.” 

“Departure, American 4580. Just got lit up by a green laser off our right. It’s still going off,” the Republic Airways pilot operating an American Airlines flight told air traffic control in an audio recording captured by LiveATC.net and reported by CNN. “Even after we turned, it was still strobing.”

According to the outlet, an air traffic controller later warned nearby aircraft of the potential threat. 

“Attention all aircraft, unauthorized laser illumination event is in progress. It’s been reported about two miles north of Boston, at 600 feet on departure,” an air traffic controller said.

Despite the distraction, the FAA confirmed no injuries were reported. The agency will investigate the incident. 

Pointing a laser at an aircraft is a federal crime and U.S. law enforcement and FAA officials may take criminal and civil action against violators, per the agency. People who shine lasers at planes face FAA fines up to $32,646 per incident. 

“Laser pointers may seem like a toy, office tool or game. Pointed to the sky, lasers are a serious threat,” the agency wrote. “A laser can incapacitate pilots, putting thousands of passengers at risk every year.”

In 2024, pilots reported 12,840 laser strikes to the FAA, which is slightly lower than the 13,304 incidents the previous year. So far in 2025, the agency has recorded 5,913 laser events. Data collected by the FAA shows a daily average of 27.9 incidents. 

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Earlier this year, a green laser was pointed at a military helicopter during its flight in Fargo, N.D.

The incident occurred on April 17 with a Sikorsky UH-60 about two miles from Hector International Airport, around 9 p.m. local time. At the time, the agency reported no injuries and confirmed it would investigate the incident. 

“Bottomline, lasers and aircraft don’t mix,” FAA administrator Mike Whitaker said in a video message in January 2024. “If you have a laser, please use it responsibly.”

The administrator then encouraged anyone who has witnessed a laser strike to report it on the FAA’s website or to local law enforcement.