The FBI is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a suspect after a civilian drone collided with a Canadian “Super Scooper” aircraft engaged in fighting the Palisades Fire. The incident occurred on Thursday, resulting in the grounding of the aircraft.
According to FBI Assistant Director Akil Davis, the use of aircraft in fire suppression efforts is a crucial tool for firefighters in containing wildfires. The collision with the drone has significantly impacted these efforts, potentially leading to the growth of the fire, property damage, loss of life, and posing a danger to the surrounding areas.
The affected aircraft, known as Quebec 1, sustained a three-by-six-inch hole in its wing as a result of the collision with the drone. Authorities were able to recover some pieces of the drone, which was operated in an area where the Federal Aviation Administration had imposed a temporary flight restriction due to the wildfires.
Davis emphasized the dangers of flying drones near wildfires, stating that a hole in an aircraft's wing could have catastrophic consequences, potentially causing the entire aircraft to crash. The FBI is working with local and state partners to identify individuals who violate flight restrictions by operating drones in restricted areas.
The FBI has drone mitigation capabilities in place to address such incidents, although specific details about the technology were not disclosed. The agency is urging anyone with information about the drone operator involved in the collision to come forward.
Davis highlighted that penalties for such offenses can include significant fines, imprisonment, or a combination of both. The FBI is committed to holding accountable those who endanger firefighting efforts and public safety through reckless drone operations.
