Laser pointer strikes military plane flying across New Jersey

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST - The flight crew of a military transport plane had more to contend with the light from a laser pointer Friday night, causing a serious safety risk, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

No one was injured, but officials said that the light caused a considerable risk to the pilots and crew.

"High-powered lasers can temporarily blind pilots flying aircraft(s) carrying hundreds of people," the FAA said in a statement.

In addition to being hazardous, shining a laser at a plane is a violation of federal law, authorities said. In 2016, that law was violated 135 times in laser incidents reported across the state.

Read more: http://www.nj.com/mercer/index.ssf/2017/01/laser_light_causes_safety_risk_during_military_fli.html