FAA investigates blue-laser illumination of American Airlines Flight 3114 near Charlotte Douglas International Airport Thursday morning

What happened near Charlotte Douglas

Federal aviation authorities opened an investigation after an American Airlines flight reported being illuminated by a laser near Charlotte Douglas International Airport early Thursday.

The incident was reported at about 7 a.m. on Jan. 29, 2026, roughly five miles from the airport. The aircraft involved was American Airlines Flight 3114. The flight landed safely, and no injuries were publicly reported in connection with the event.

Why lasers are treated as an aviation safety risk

Laser illumination is treated as a safety hazard because it can distract or temporarily impair a pilot’s vision at critical phases of flight, including approach and landing. Investigations typically focus on identifying the origin point of the beam and determining whether the act was deliberate.

Federal law makes it a crime to knowingly aim a laser pointer at an aircraft or at the flight path of an aircraft. The offense can carry criminal penalties, including imprisonment of up to five years. Separately, aviation regulators can pursue civil penalties for laser incidents, including fines that can reach tens of thousands of dollars per violation, depending on the circumstances.

How common laser reports are nationwide

The Charlotte report comes amid persistent national concern about laser incidents affecting aircraft. The FAA’s annual tracking shows that pilot reports of laser strikes rose sharply over the past decade and have remained at elevated levels in recent years.

• Pilots reported 13,304 laser incidents in 2023.
• Pilots reported 12,840 laser incidents in 2024.
• FAA year-to-date reporting for 2025 lists 10,121 incidents.

Federal data also indicates that hundreds of pilot injuries have been reported since the FAA began systematically tracking laser incidents in 2010, underscoring the potential consequences even when flights land without further complications.

What the investigation typically involves

In laser-illumination cases, investigators may coordinate with local law enforcement to canvass areas consistent with the aircraft’s position and the reported direction of the beam. Air traffic control warnings to other aircraft can also help establish timing and location. If a suspect is identified, cases may proceed through criminal prosecution and/or civil enforcement, depending on the evidence and intent.

Shining a laser at an aircraft is illegal and can create a serious hazard for flight crews during critical phases of flight.

What residents should know

Authorities routinely urge the public to report suspected laser activity directed at aircraft immediately to local law enforcement. Even brief illumination can interfere with cockpit operations, particularly around airports where aircraft are at lower altitudes and pilots are managing heavy workloads.