Tampa Man Charged for Laser Attacks on 40 Airport Flights: Dangerous Behavior Puts Lives at Risk

A man named Douglas Sollenberger from Tampa, Florida has been accused of pointing lasers at over 40 incoming flights at the city’s international airport since January. The incidents have posed a serious danger to both pilots and passengers as they could potentially cause accidents due to impaired vision during landing procedures. On Thursday morning, a Jet Blue pilot confirmed that his plane was targeted with laser beams while he tried to land, resulting in temporary blindness, yet luckily still enabling the flight to reach safety at the Tampa International Airport runway. Authorities have arrested Sollenberger on charges of misusing a laser lighting device and taken him into custody at Orient Road Jail following an investigation by both local police officers and FBI agents who conducted surveillance outside his home after identifying its location during their inquiries. The Tampa Police Department’s Chief Lee Bercaw warned that such reckless behavior could have led to tragic accidents, emphasizing the gravity of these laser strikes against airplanes which are not only prohibited but also incredibly dangerous for both pilots and passengers on board. Meanwhile, John Tiliacos from TPA expressed his gratitude towards local authorities who took quick action in deterring any further safety threats while protecting aircrafts, crews, and travelers at the airport’s premises.