Commercial Flight From Phoenix Target Of Laser Strike

By Dennis Lambert
Published: Friday, June 20, 2014 - 12:30pm
Updated: Friday, June 20, 2014 - 12:31pm

The pilot of a US Airways flight from Phoenix to Los Angeles says he experienced visual impairment this week after the airliner was hit by a laser.

FAA spokesman Ian Gregor says the laser strike took place early Wednesday as Flight 674 was at about 9,000 feet, just east of Santa Monica. The Airbus A321 was arriving from Phoenix.

The FBI says it’s investigating the incident but that no suspect has been identified. 

The Bureau just began offering rewards of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest of anyone who threatens an aircraft with a laser attack.

The FAA says there were nearly 4,000 laser strikes in the U.S. last year. 

In March, a 26-year-old man was sentenced to 14 years in prison after being convicted of shining a laser pointer at a Fresno police helicopter and a hospital helicopter.