By USA Daily Now 
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched an investigation after the crew of a Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, operated by the National Guard, reported being illuminated by a green laser approximately two miles from North Dakota’s Hector International Airport. The incident occurred at around 9 p.m. local time on Thursday, according to FAA officials. No injuries were reported.
THE ARMY confirmed to Fox News Digital that the aircraft was under the operation of the National Guard. The FAA has notified local authorities and will conduct a thorough investigation into the matter.
This incident follows a series of aviation safety concerns. Just over a week earlier, on April 10, a tour helicopter crashed into the Hudson River in Jersey City, New Jersey, resulting in the tragic deaths of six individuals, including the pilot, two adults, and three children. [Watch video coverage here](https://www.foxnews.com).
In January, another fatal collision occurred when an Army Black Hawk helicopter collided midair with a passenger plane over the Potomac River during an Army flight check, claiming the lives of all 67 individuals on board. In response, the FAA has implemented stricter safety measures near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), including permanently restricting non-essential helicopter operations and closing certain helicopter routes as recommended by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
Officials identified over 15,000 instances of planes being alerted about helicopters in proximity between October 2021 and December 2024. The FAA has also prohibited the simultaneous use of specific runways and limited visual separation to certain Coast Guard, Marines, and Park Police helicopter operations outside restricted airspace.
The National Guard has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the recent laser incident.
**Sources:**
[Fox News Digital](https://www.foxnews.com)
[FAA Official Statement](https://www.faa.gov)