Authorities in southwest Iowa’s Cass County are searching for a suspect in the Massena area after someone apparently shined a laser at an airplane on Thursday night.
The FAA says the pilot of a single-engine Cessna 172 reported being illuminated by a blue laser approximately 40 miles southwest of Des Moines International Airport.
No injuries were reported. Local authorities were notified.
The FAA says intentionally aiming lasers at aircraft poses a safety threat to pilots and violates federal law.
Many high-powered lasers can incapacitate pilots. People convicted of shining lasers at aircraft face FAA fines of up to $11,000 per violation and up to $30,800 for multiple laser incidents.
(By Ric Hanson, KJAN, Atlantic)