Los Angeles, California – Authorities have made a commitment to prosecute individuals caught engaging in illegal drone flights after a civilian drone collided with a Canadian firefighting aircraft known as a “Super Scooper.” The incident occurred while the aircraft was battling the Palisades Fire, resulting in the grounding of the specialized firefighting plane.

The Super Scooper, a CL-415 aircraft, is specially designed to scoop up over 1,500 gallons of ocean water to drop on active fires. However, due to the collision, the aircraft, named Quebec 1, sustained wing damage and is currently out of service. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported as a result of the incident.

Los Angeles Fire Department spokesperson, Erik Scott, confirmed that efforts are underway to repair the damaged aircraft, with expectations that it will be back in operation by Monday. The collision prompted the temporary grounding of all aircraft responding to the Palisades Fire, limiting the firefighting efforts in the area.

Authorities have emphasized that flying drones in restricted airspace without permission can lead to severe legal consequences. Los Angeles County District Attorney, Nathan Hochman, reiterated that individuals caught violating drone regulations will face arrest, prosecution, and appropriate punishment.

In response to the incident, fire officials are working with federal partners to implement measures that enable the tracking and identification of drone operators in high-risk fire areas. By identifying unauthorized drones, they aim to prevent disruptions to aerial firefighting operations, ensuring efficient and effective response to wildfires in the region.

The collision is currently under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which has reaffirmed its strict regulations on drone flights near aerial firefighting activities. The FAA warned that unauthorized drones can interfere with firefighting efforts, potentially endangering lives and impeding the response to wildfires.

Additionally, the FAA highlighted the seriousness of unauthorized drone activities near wildfires, stating that swift enforcement actions will be taken against offenders. Their actions underscore the critical importance of adhering to airspace restrictions to maintain the safety and effectiveness of firefighting operations.

As authorities work to address the aftermath of the drone collision, efforts are underway to ensure that aerial firefighting operations can resume promptly and continue to combat wildfires in the region effectively.