The firefighting aircraft known as the “Super Scooper” that was damaged by a drone while battling the Los Angeles County fires has been successfully repaired and is set to resume operations on Tuesday morning, according to County Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone.
During a news conference held on Monday, Fire Chief Marrone confirmed that the aircraft has undergone repairs and is now awaiting approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to take flight once again.
The incident that led to the grounding of the Canadian-made “Super Scooper” occurred when it collided with a civilian drone last Thursday. The collision prompted the temporary suspension of the aircraft's firefighting missions.
Super Scoopers are specialized CL-415 firefighting planes that are specifically designed to scoop up more than 1,500 gallons of ocean water to be dropped on wildfires, aiding in the containment and extinguishing of the flames.
With the completion of the necessary repairs, the firefighting aircraft is now poised to rejoin the efforts to combat the ongoing fires in Los Angeles County. Once the FAA grants approval for the aircraft to resume operations, it will once again be deployed to assist in firefighting operations and provide crucial support in containing the wildfires.
The return of the “Super Scooper” aircraft signifies a significant step forward in the firefighting efforts in the region, as it brings back a valuable asset that plays a vital role in aerial firefighting operations. The successful repair and imminent return of the aircraft highlight the dedication and swift action taken by firefighting authorities to ensure that essential resources are available to combat the wildfires effectively.
