BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released new numbers on how many laser strikes pilots reported to the agency last year. The new data comes at a time when flight anxiety is high after major airline crashes that took place in recent months. Shining a bright light a t an aircraft can affect pilots' vision. Pilots reported nearly 13,000 laser strikes to the FAA last year, which is a 3% drop from 2023. The FAA said the numbers are still too high — dangerously high. Last year at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport, there were 25 laser incidents. There were also 24 in Rochester, 28 in Syracuse and over 200 in New York City. People who shine a laser at an aircraft while in motion could face fines of up to $11,000 per violation, the FAA said. The fines are higher with multiple violations, including up to five years in prison. Bob Miller, a retired pilot and flight instructor, said he has seen lasers at night as a pilot, but was never actually hit by one. "Just imagine being in a darkened room and somebody walks in with a flash camera and shoots a flash camera in your eye – it can temporarily blind you," Miller said. "In fact, it can light up the entire cockpit and at a critical phase in flight where the pilot is concentrating on maneuvering the aircraft, such as approach to landing. This could have very serious consequences." He said there are ways to trace where the laser is coming from. There have been incidents locally that have resulted in criminal charges. A year ago, a Cheektowaga man was arrested and charged for shining a green laser at a Delta Airlines plane at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport. The pilot reported the incident and police responded to then arrest Crapsi. "Aiming a laser at an aircraft is against the law and creates a serious safety hazard that puts everyone on the plane and those on the ground below at risk," said Kevin Morris, an FAA safety expert. If you happen to be on or near a plane and know of a laser strike, you're asked to report that to the FAA and local police. "Anything that involves the safety of commercial aviation is a major concern to all of us and particularly in this day and age, where we're a little hyper sensitive to the number airline incidents anything that threatens the safety, as I said before, is a major concern," Miller said. Latest Local News Bills Mafia reacts to Hallmark movie announcement Ask the Mayor: Scanlon discusses looming budget deficit ‘Pigman’ banner mocking Gowanda resident showcases neighborhood divide FAA releases laser strike data across the U.S. – see how many reports pilots made in Buffalo Buffalo Airport TSA intercepts 2 guns at security checkpoint Jeff Preval is an award-winning anchor and reporter who joined the News 4 team in December 2021. See more of his work here. ...read more read less