Lots of airplanes overhead this evening!

Needed: Laser control

Lindsey Bever reports in the Washington Post that

Federal authorities have launched an investigation after numerous aircraft were hit by laser beams Wednesday night.

More than 20 aircraft were struck while in flight over at least 16 U.S. cities, according to a statement from the Federal Aviation Administration. Authorities said three laser strikes were reported to the FAA in the New York City area, followed by three near Dallas that hit jets as they were preparing to land.

“None of the pilots reported injuries,” authorities said in a statement to The Post. “Nevertheless, shining a laser at an aircraft is a federal crime that the U.S. vigorously pursues. Lasers distract pilots from their safety duties and can lead to temporary blindness during critical phases of flight, such as takeoff and landing. In some cases in the past, pilots have reported eye injuries that required medical treatment.”

Read more here.