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17 January 2025
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Drone collides with firefighting Super Scooper, grounds aircraft amid California wildland fires, US
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A firefighting aircraft, Super Scooper Quebec 1, was grounded after being struck by an unauthorised civilian drone during water drop operations in Los Angeles County while flying in the Palisades Fire area. The Los Angeles County Fire Chief confirmed that the drone collision caused a hole in the plane’s wing, forcing the aircraft to land. The incident happened around 13h00 on Thursday, 9 January 2025, according to Los Angeles Fire Department PIO Erik Scott.
The aircraft, a Canadair CL-415, landed safely and no crew members were injured. The damage rendered Quebec 1 inoperable and grounded. The Super Scoopers, which can carry up to 1 600 gallons of water, are Canadian government-owned aircraft dispatched to assist with fighting the Los Angeles fires.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the FBI have launched investigations into the incident. According to the FAA, flying unauthorised drones in fire zones is a federal crime punishable by up to 12 months in prison and a civil penalty of $75 000. Temporary flight restrictions are currently in place over Los Angeles to avert such interference.
Sources: Fox 11
The aircraft, a Canadair CL-415, landed safely and no crew members were injured. The damage rendered Quebec 1 inoperable and grounded. The Super Scoopers, which can carry up to 1 600 gallons of water, are Canadian government-owned aircraft dispatched to assist with fighting the Los Angeles fires.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the FBI have launched investigations into the incident. According to the FAA, flying unauthorised drones in fire zones is a federal crime punishable by up to 12 months in prison and a civil penalty of $75 000. Temporary flight restrictions are currently in place over Los Angeles to avert such interference.
Sources: Fox 11
