Drone Collides, Damages Firefighting Aircraft in SoCal

A civilian drone illegally flew into the restricted airspace of the Palisades Fire, colliding with a firefighting aircraft and causing significant damage to its wing. The incident involved a Super Scooper plane, which had to be grounded for inspection, disrupting firefighting efforts in the Los Angeles area. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has initiated an investigation and reiterated that flying drones near wildfires is a federal offense, punishable by up to 12 months in prison and fines up to $75,000. Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) are in place to protect firefighting operations, and unauthorized drone flights can delay critical airborne responses, posing risks to firefighters, residents, and property. The FAA emphasized the seriousness of such violations and announced that they will enforce stringent penalties. The Palisades Fire has already burned nearly 20,000 acres, highlighting the urgency of efficient firefighting operations without interference.