Arizona Ranks Top 5 in U.S. Laser Strikes on Pilots

Arizona remains among the top five states in the nation for laser strikes targeting pilots, despite an overall nationwide decline in reported incidents.

The Federal Aviation Administration said pilots reported just under 11,000 laser strikes across the United States in 2025, marking a 14% decrease compared with 2024. While the drop reflects progress, federal officials stress that the number remains unacceptably high.

Arizona recorded 574 laser strike incidents in 2025, up slightly from 550 reported in 2024, placing it fifth nationwide. In January 2026 alone, the state logged 42 incidents, signaling that the problem persists.

A single laser flash can temporarily blind or disorient a pilot, creating a serious safety risk, particularly during critical phases of flight such as takeoff and landing. Nationwide, 10 pilot injuries were reported in 2025, compared with 15 in 2024.

FAA officials credit a strong pilot reporting culture and increased coordination with local authorities for the overall decline. The agency conducted targeted outreach and education efforts throughout 2025 in regions with elevated laser strike activity.

Ben Supko, acting associate administrator for the FAA’s Security and Hazardous Materials Safety Organization, said even one laser strike is too many when pilots are responsible for hundreds of lives onboard.

Shining a laser at an aircraft is a federal crime. Offenders can face civil penalties of up to $11,000 per violation, as well as criminal charges carrying potential prison sentences of up to five years.

States reporting the highest number of laser strikes in 2025 were:

California – 1,309
Texas – 1,100
Florida – 654
Illinois – 620
Arizona – 574
Washington – 484
Tennessee – 431
Indiana – 370
New York – 369
Virginia – 353

The FAA continues to urge pilots to report laser incidents immediately, allowing authorities to investigate and take enforcement action.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, azfamily.com