Porter flight from Toronto among 11 planes targeted by powerful lasers in New Jersey

WATCH ABOVE: Eleven commercial flights reported laser sightings Wednesday night over New Jersey. Aviation expert Jock Williams talks about the potential dangers around “laser attacks”.

TORONTO — A laser pointer aimed at a plane can quickly spell disaster if a pilot is temporarily blinded.

The Federal Aviation Authority is investigating reports of powerful green lasers being aimed at multiple aircraft Wednesday night over New Jersey. Over the span of 90 minutes 11 aircraft were reportedly targeted, including a Porter flight out of Toronto.

“If somebody has a strong laser and he gets you with the first shot, you are in big trouble,” said Toronto-based aviation expert Jock Williams.

“A pilot who is blind for 20 or 30 seconds is not much of a pilot, and the risk is that he will crash in that period of time,” said Williams. “Not when he’s flying along at altitude, but when he’s coming in on final approach, and that’s when a lot of this has been going on in recent years.”

READ MORE: Laser beam pointed into cockpit of plane over Nova Scotia: RCMP

The targeted aircraft were headed for major airports in and near New York City. One plane was headed for LaGuardia Airport in NYC, at least one was on its way to Pittsburgh and others were approaching Newark Liberty International Airport.

Just across the Hudson River from New York City, the Newark airport is a popular landing spot for Canadians jetting to NYC.

“What you’re seeing is incredibly stupid people doing a very dangerous thing, because you could kill somebody,” said Williams.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "What you're seeing is incredibly stupid people doing a very dangerous thing, because you could kill somebody," said Williams.

Pointing a laser at a plane is a federal crime. Williams predicts whoever is behind the laser pointer incidents will not only get caught, but also face hefty fines and a prison sentence.

“There are mechanisms now for us to identify lasers, and to identify where they are coming from with tremendous accuracy.”

Williams said a strong laser can permanently blind a person with prolonged exposure.

“Green are the worst for human eyes,” said Williams of the powerful green lasers being used. “They should be more rigidly controlled than firearms because they are more dangerous in many ways.”

With files from Erica Vella and the Associated Press