Aiming a laser at an aircraft is a serious safety risk and it is a violation of a law. Many high-powered lasers can completely blind and as a result incapacitate pilots who try to fly safely to their destinations and may carry hundreds of passengers. In the USA it is considered to be a federal crime and it is punished with a penalty up to $ 250 000 or 5 years of imprisonment. All pilots and crew members are requested to immediately report incidents of unauthorized laser illumination by radio to the appropriate ATC controlling facility.