A firefighting aircraft collided with a drone while operating over the Palisades Fire in California, but managed to land safely.
The incident occurred on Thursday, the third day of the wildfire burning in Los Angeles County. The aircraft, a Canadair CL-415 ‘Super Scooper’, was grounded after the collision. The inflight impact with the drone resulted in a hole in the leading edge of the aircraft’s wing.
Palisade Fire Drone Incident
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating the incident to determine the operator of the drone. Flying drones near wildfires is extremely dangerous and can interfere with firefighting efforts.
The FAA has issued a stern reminder to civilians that flying a drone in the midst of firefighting efforts is a federal crime. The offence is punishable by up to 12 months in prison or a fine of up to $75,000.
An FAA temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) is current for Santa Monica, which is on the edge of the Palisades Fire. The US aviation regulator has not authorized anyone unaffiliated with the Los Angeles firefighting operations to operate in the region.
The incident highlights the importance of drone safety awareness. UAS operators should be aware of the potential dangers of flying drones near wildfires and other emergency response areas. The FAA has a website with information about how to fly drones safely and responsibly.
The Palisades Fire is one of six wildfires burning in Los Angeles County. The fire has burned more than 17,000 acres with little containment. Authorities have put evacuation orders place for some areas, and a number of roads are closed.
The incident is a reminder of the importance of public safety. The FAA and other agencies are actively working to ensure safe and responsible UAS use. The public can help by being aware of the potential dangers of drones and by following the rules and regulations.
Update: FBI Appeal for Information
The FBI is seeking information that leads to the identity of a UAS pilot whose drone collided with a CL-415 “Super Scooper” aircraft conducting fire suppression operations at the PalisadesFire near Malibu, California.
You can find further details and information about contacting the FBI here.
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