Inquiry begun after American Airlines flight reports mysterious blue light while trying to land

An American Airlines formation reported seeing a unusual bluish airy portion it was preparing to onshore past week — prompting an investigation.

The incidental occurred aboriginal successful the greeting of Thursday, Jan. 29, arsenic the level was approaching Charlotte Douglas International Airport successful Charlotte, North Carolina. 

The formation had departed from Charleston, South Carolina, according to American Airlines successful a connection it shared with Fox News Digital.

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Ultimately, the formation landed safely — and nary injuries were reported.

"Out of an abundance of caution, the unit reported this arsenic a laser event," the hose said.

As it prepared to land, an American Airlines formation (actual formation not shown here) reported seeing an antithetic bluish light. (iStock)

American Airlines said its pilots person grooming connected however to grip imaginable laser illumination incidents and are instructed to study immoderate specified events immediately.

The accusation is past shared with aerial postulation power — which passes the study on to instrumentality enforcement officials for further review.

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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed to People that it would beryllium investigating the incident.

In 2025, pilots reported astir 11,000 laser strikes, the FAA's website noted.

Last year, astir 11,000 laser strikes were reported, the FAA said.  (iStock)

From those incidents, 10 injuries were reported, the FAA said.

Federal officials person repeatedly warned that laser strikes airs a superior information hazard to aircraft, peculiarly during takeoff and landing.

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"Laser pointers whitethorn look similar a toy, bureau instrumentality oregon game. Pointed to the sky, lasers are a superior threat," the FAA said.  

"A laser tin incapacitate pilots, putting thousands of passengers astatine hazard each year."

Lasers pointed astatine planes tin incapacitate pilots — putting thousands of lives successful information each year, says the FAA. (iStock)

People who radiance lasers astatine aircrafts tin look penalties.

The FAA said violators whitethorn beryllium fined up to $32,000 per incidental — and could besides look transgression charges nether national law.

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Fox News Digital antecedently reported that the FAA was investigating a akin incidental aft the unit of a National Guard Black Hawk chopper reported receiving illuminations by a greenish laser adjacent Hector International Airport successful North Dakota successful 2025.

The incidental occurred astir 2 miles from the airport, and nary injuries were reported.

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Alexandra Koch of Fox News Digital contributed reporting.