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3 Aircraft Hit With Lasers Near Newark Airport

NEWARK, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Two commercial airliners and a helicopter were illuminated by lasers near Newark Liberty International Airport, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

The incidents occurred between 9:20 p.m. and 10 p.m. Thursday.

The FAA said a privately operated helicopter was illuminated with a green and white laser at 1,600 feet, about 10 miles south of Newark.

About a half hour later, a Boeing 737 and an Embraer 135 were targeted with a green laser on final approach to the airport. They were at an altitude of 3,000 feet, one mile east of Teterboro Airport.

No injuries were reported.

The FAA notified the New Jersey State Police.

It's a federal crime to aim a laser at an aircraft. High-powered lasers can incapacitate pilots.

More than 2,200 laser incidents were reported nationally through Aug. 2, including 27 in New Jersey and eight in Newark.

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