Summary
A drone collision grounded one of two Super Scooper planes battling Los Angeles wildfires, leaving a critical resource unavailable.
The collision damaged the aircraft’s wing, forcing its grounding, and temporarily paused other firefighting flights, creating significant delays.
The FAA emphasized the dangers of flying drones near wildfires, noting it’s a federal crime with penalties up to $75,000 and prison time.
Over 36,000 acres have burned, with officials warning that delays in air support allow wildfires to spread rapidly, endangering lives and property.
Don’t drones broadcast identifying information? I’m surprised they aren’t able to find the operator.
Most do not. And most people don’t register their drones with the FAA even when required to.
Mine both have their registration information written on the hull, so if they’re ever found at a crash site, the FAA will know they were mine.
I’m surprised the drone isn’t embedded into the wing.