The person at the center of this case
Flight crews and passengers of commercial and private aircraft at Yakima Air Terminal
Cold Case · Open
256 days waiting
COMMERCIAL AIRCRAFT LASER INCIDENTS
Justice for Flight crews and passengers of commercial and private aircraft at Yakima Air Terminal — the trail went cold in 2026, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
🔍
evidence
Lead #1Green laser source location - pilots report illumination and tracking from specific bearings; can you identify landmarks or coordinates where the laser originates?
👁️
witness
Lead #2Pilot observations of laser origin - relative bearing, distance, and landmark references from multiple aircraft approaches could triangulate the source
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clue
Lead #3Why the dramatic increase starting January 2026? Was there a specific trigger or change in the area that correlates with incident onset?
Since January 2026, Yakima Air Terminal in Washington has experienced a dramatic surge in laser incidents targeting arriving aircraft, with at least 19 confirmed reports to the FAA in the first quarter alone. The strikes involve green lasers illuminating and tracking cockpits of private, commercial, medical, and military aircraft during approach, creating serious safety hazards for flight crews and passengers. The FBI and multiple federal agencies are actively investigating to identify the individual(s) responsible, seeking pilot reports and any evidence that could pinpoint the laser source location.
Case
#2625
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) with support from local and federal agencies
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More leads to consider
Beyond the top three above — each detail below could be the thread that pulls this case open.
🔍
evidence
Lead #4Photo or video evidence from aircraft cockpits during laser strikes - any captured imagery could help identify the perpetrator and equipment used
Have information about any of these leads?
Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.
Official wording
Source Narrative
Yakima Air Terminal - McAllister Field (YKM) Washington State January 2026 to Present Since the beginning of 2026, the airport in Yakima, Washington, Yakima Air Terminal - McAllister Field (YKM), has experienced a dramatic increase of laser incidents involving arriving aircraft, including reported strikes on private, commercial, medical, and military aircraft. For example, 19 reports have been made to the FAA from January 1, 2026, to March 31, 2026, but this number is likely underreported.
Pilots around the airport have experienced a green laser illuminating and tracking the cockpit of their aircraft while on approach to land and flying near YKM. Lasers pointed at an aircraft can interfere with landing and can increase the risk of injury to flight crew, passengers, and citizens within the local area.
The FBI is working with multiple local and federal agencies to identify and locate the individual(s) responsible for these laser strikes and is seeking information from the public regarding these incidents. If you are a pilot and have experienced a laser strike in the vicinity of YKM, any information you can provide would be helpful in this investigation.
Information includes: your name, phone number, elevation, heading, coordinates, approach, and any reference toward where the laser may have come from such as landmark or relative bearing and distance or coordinates. Any photo or video evidence of the event may also prove helpful.
Timeline of Events
🕵️
2026-01-01
Laser incidents begin
Beginning of 2026, dramatic increase in laser incidents targeting arriving aircraft at YKM
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2026-03-31
FAA reports documented
19 confirmed reports of laser strikes made to the FAA from January 1 to March 31, 2026, likely underreported
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:January 1, 2026
Last Updated:September 9, 2026
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Case Information
Incident:January 1, 2026
Last Updated:September 9, 2026