A significant incident occurred during the ongoing Palisades Fire in Los Angeles when a Canadian "Super Scooper" aircraft, identified by its tail number C-GQBE, collided with a privately-owned drone. This collision resulted in a three-by-six-inch hole in the wing of the aircraft, prompting immediate concerns about the safety of firefighting operations in the area. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has confirmed that the drone was flying in restricted airspace, a violation of federal law, and has not authorized any unauthorized drone flights during this critical time.
The incident unfolded as the Super Scooper was actively engaged in firefighting efforts, utilizing its capacity to scoop up over 1,500 gallons of water from the ocean to combat the flames. Following the collision, all aircraft responding to the Palisades Fire were temporarily grounded, significantly hindering firefighting efforts. The FAA is currently investigating the midair collision and has stated that it treats such violations seriously, considering swift enforcement actions against offenders.
The damaged Super Scooper will be prioritized for repairs and is expected to return to service by Monday. However, officials note that the temporary loss of this aircraft could have severe implications. Akil Davis, assistant director of the FBI, emphasized the potential consequences of grounding firefighting aircraft. He stated, “When you take one plane out of commission like that, it’s going to impact the speed in which the fire grows, it’s going to cause loss of property, potentially loss of life, and it’s a danger to everybody all around.”
The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) released images showing the damage sustained by Quebec 1, highlighting the risks associated with unauthorized drone flights during active fire responses. The FAA reiterated that it has not authorized anyone unaffiliated with firefighting operations to fly drones in restricted airspace over these fires.
“The FAA treats these violations seriously and immediately considers swift enforcement action for these offenses,” – FAA
The FBI is actively seeking assistance from the public in identifying the operator of the drone involved in this dangerous incident. The Los Angeles authorities have vowed to prosecute illegal drone flights rigorously. Nathan Hochman, the Los Angeles County District Attorney, warned potential offenders, stating, “You will be arrested, you will be prosecuted, and you will be punished to the full extent of the law.”
As part of ongoing efforts to ensure safe airspace during fire emergencies, L.A. County Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone noted that federal partners are implementing procedures to track drones in large fire areas. He emphasized the importance of maintaining operational integrity: “The most important thing to know is that if you fly a drone at one of these brush fires, all aerial operations will be shut down, and we certainly don’t want to have that happen.”
Davis further underscored the dangers posed by unauthorized drones, asserting that “these drones are nothing to be played with.” Each year, two CL-415 planes are sent from Quebec to California under a 31-year agreement between their governments. These aircraft are crucial tools for firefighting operations, making incidents like this even more concerning.
