Boston Man Arrested for Pointing Laser at Coast Guard Helicopter

A Boston man has been arrested and federally indicted for allegedly aiming a laser pointer at a Coast Guard helicopter attempting to land at Massachusetts General Hospital. Philip Gagnon, 59, faces one count of aiming a laser pointer at the helicopter during a training mission on September 21, 2023, according to authorities.

The incident occurred as Coast Guard helicopter 6039 was conducting a routine training mission with four crew members on board. As the helicopter prepared to land at Massachusetts General Hospital, Gagnon purportedly directed a high-powered green laser beam at the aircraft from inside his apartment, illuminating its side and shining through the windows.

The pilot was forced to abort the landing due to the laser beam and diverted to another Boston area hospital. Gagnon resides in an apartment overlooking a flight path commonly used by helicopters landing at the hospital, according to the indictment.

Following his arrest, Gagnon appeared in Boston federal court and was released on conditions. The charge of aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft carries a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison, 3 years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported a significant increase in laser strikes on aircraft, with pilots reporting 13,304 incidents in 2023, representing a 41% spike from the previous year. The FAA emphasized the serious threat that laser strikes pose to aviation safety, as high-powered lasers can incapacitate pilots and endanger hundreds of passengers aboard aircraft.

The FAA works in collaboration with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to pursue civil and criminal penalties against individuals who intentionally aim lasers at aircraft. In 2021, the FAA issued fines totaling $120,000 for laser strikes, underscoring the agency’s commitment to addressing this safety concern.