The FBI is seeking information regarding a collision between an unlicensed drone and a Super Scooper fire plane that was flying over the Palisades Fire in Los Angeles County.
The Jan. 9 crash left a 3-by-6-inch hole in the Super Scooper’s left wing. The crew landed safely at Van Nuys Airport, but the plane was grounded for repairs at a time when all available firefighting resources were needed to extinguish the Pacific Palisades and five other fires that broke out last week. It had stopped.
The FBI has opened a digital media tip line seeking the public’s help in identifying the drone operator. Anyone with information, photos or videos regarding the incident was asked to submit them here.
In a post to X, authorities published photos of the damaged wing and the drone.
Flying a drone within a fire protection zone is a federal crime, punishable by up to 12 months in prison or a fine of up to $75,000.
Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Malone announced Tuesday morning that Quebec 1 has completed repairs and is scheduled to return to service on Tuesday, pending FAA approval. Planes can replenish their fuel by skimming oil from the surface of water masses during flight, then quickly return to the fire zone and drop large amounts of water on the blaze.
The FBI is seeking information leading to the identity of a UAS pilot who collided with a “super scooper” plane whose drone was fighting a fire. #palisadesfire Near Malibu, California. Learn more and contact the FBI here: https://t.co/0FCsCvrgGy pic.twitter.com/MiRuhWWeQP
— FBI Los Angeles (@FBILosAngeles) January 13, 2025
The FAA released a statement regarding the drone attack.
“The FAA takes these violations seriously and will immediately consider expedited enforcement actions in response to these violations,” the agency said in a statement. “The FAA does not allow anyone not associated with Los Angeles firefighting operations to fly drones within TFR (Temporary Flight Restrictions).”
