American Airlines Flight Hit with Mysterious Blue Laser Strike

The incident occurred about five miles from the Charlotte Douglas International Airport around 7 a.m. local time.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 10:55am

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An American Airlines crew landing in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Thursday morning reported being the target of a laser strike, the FAA tells PEOPLE. The incident occurred about five miles from the airport around 7 a.m. local time.

Why it matters

Laser strikes on aircraft are a serious threat, as they can temporarily blind pilots and put thousands of passengers at risk. The FAA investigates all such incidents and violators can face hefty fines and criminal penalties.

The details

According to FlightAware, American Airlines flight 3114 departed the Charleston International Airport in South Carolina just after 6:15 a.m. local time on Thursday, January 29. Upon approach to the Charlotte Douglas International Airport, the crew reported 'being illuminated by a blue laser about 5 miles' from the airport around 7 a.m. local time. Fortunately, the flight landed safely at the airport.

  • On January 29, 2026, American Airlines flight 3114 departed Charleston around 6:15 a.m. local time.
  • Around 7 a.m. local time on January 29, 2026, the crew reported being struck by a blue laser about 5 miles from the Charlotte Douglas International Airport.

The players

American Airlines

An American airline company that operates the flight that was targeted by the laser strike.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

The U.S. government agency that regulates civil aviation and investigates incidents like this laser strike.

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What’s next

The FAA confirmed it will investigate the incident further.

The takeaway

This laser strike highlights the serious risks that these devices pose to aviation safety, and the need for strict enforcement to deter such dangerous behavior that can have catastrophic consequences.