The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has warned people against pointing lasers at aircraft after 9,500 such incidents were reported by pilots in 2022.
"High-powered laser pointers can incapacitate pilots flying airplanes with hundreds of passengers," the FAA said, appealing to manufacturers to put a warning on packaging against misuse.
Although lasers can "seem like just a toy," according to acting FAA administrator Billy Nolen, "people need to be aware pointing a laser at an airplane is a federal crime."
Almost 300 pilots have reported injury from such incidents since 2010, the FAA said, warning that it has the power to impose fines of up to $11,000 for each violation and $30,800 for multiple incidents.