Man faces 5 years in prison after allegedly aiming high-powered laser at Coast Guard helicopter

A man was arrested Monday for allegedly aiming a laser at a Coast Guard helicopter that was attempting to land at a Boston hospital in September last year, officials said. 

Philip Gagnon, 59, reportedly intentionally aimed a green, high-powered laser beam at a helicopter that was trying to land at Massachusetts General Hospital as part of a routine training mission on Sept. 21, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts said in a statement. 

Gagnon was allegedly aiming the laser from inside his apartment as the helicopter, with four crew members on board, descended toward the hospital. 

“The laser beam allegedly illuminated the side of the helicopter and shone through the helicopter’s windows,” the statement reads. 

The pilot aborted the landing and eventually landed at another Boston area hospital, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. 

Gagnon is charged with one count of aiming a laser pointer at a Coast Guard helicopter and is facing up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. He was released on conditions following an initial appearance in federal court on Monday, according to the statement. 

Laser pointers can cause damage to aircraft crew members, who can experience glare, afterimage, flash blindness, or temporary loss of night vision after being hit by a laser, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. 

Laser strikes reported to the Federal Aviation Administration increased significantly in 2023 compared to past years, jumping to 13,304 from 9,457 reported in 2022.

Want to leave a comment?

Create an Account Or sign in to your account

To comment, please create a screen name in your profile

To comment, please verify your email address

Conversation

This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com