Image via LACoFDPIO/X, Fox 11 Los Angeles/YouTube
A drone collided with the wing of a Super Scooper firefighter airplane over the Pacific Palisades in Los Angeles, California, highlighting a very real danger in this modern age. Reportedly, the wing was damaged by the collision, grounding the airplane until repairs could be made.
Learn how the first drones were actually created for WWI.
Thankfully, the Super Scooper, which is based out of Quebec, was able to land safely, so the crew is okay. However, this means they can’t be filling up the belly of the plane with seawater and dumping it onto fires in an effort to extinguish flames before they spread further.
However, the damage to the plane’s wing is about the size of a football. Exactly what’s going on with the Super Scooper isn’t clear.
A reporter from KCAL said authorities were being “tight lipped” about if they knew who was operating the drone or what’s going to happen with them, although he seemed puzzled about why that would be.
It could just simply be that the Federal Aviation Administration is still investigating the incident and doesn’t want details leaked to the public, although that’s conjecture on our part.
Drone owners need to know they can’t fly over any wildfire or fire of any kind. That’s technically a federal crime with the possibility of up to 12 months in federal prison, if they’re prosecuted. After all, a drone can interfere with firefighters’ efforts to combat a blaze, so drone operators should stay well away.
In addition, the FAA can fine a drone operator up to $75,000 for interfering in the fighting of a wildfire, law enforcement situation, or any emergency when temporary flight restrictions have been imposed, which they have in the Palisades.
Keep your drones out of the air in emergency situations. We know it’s tempting to get some cool footage, but firefighters and other first responders need the space.
Image via LACoFDPIO/X, Fox 11 Los Angeles/YouTube
