Los Angeles FBI authorities are searching for the operator of a private drone that collided with a Canadian plane that was helping to suppress wildfires in California.
Akil Davis, the FBI's deputy director in charge of the Los Angeles field office, said Thursday that a Canadian Airlines Super Scooper plane fighting wildfires in California collided with a privately owned drone over the Palisades fire. admitted that it was damaged.
The accident left a 3-inch by 6-inch hole in the plane's wing, Davis said.
However, in the event of a crash, the policy is that all aircraft in the area must be evacuated, Davis said, which would have an even more serious impact in the event of a wildfire.
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A Canadian firefighting plane was hit by a drone over Los Angeles County. (FBI)
“This type of aircraft is the most effective means of suppressing and containing fires,” Davis said. “So when such incidents occur, they pose a significant public safety issue and create a dangerous scenario for first responders.”
The FBI said an investigation was launched and parts of the drone have since been recovered.
A Canadian firefighting plane was hit by a drone over Los Angeles County. (FBI)
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“We are working with public and private stakeholders to identify the person operating the drone,” Davis said. “But since that incident, we have [more than 10] Contact with drone operators that we have warned and fined over the past few years. ”
When wildfires occur, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) imposes temporary flight restrictions and barriers to allow the use of law enforcement drones and firefighting aircraft.
A Canadian firefighting plane was hit by a drone over Los Angeles County. (FBI)
Davis said when drones are operated illegally, they create “dangerous situations” that can lead to loss of life.
“These fires are very large; [they] “The amount of resources required increases exponentially,” he said.[Operating private drones is] Firefighting operations will be carried out [away] From saving homes and saving lives. If one of these planes were to crash, it would literally be a disaster. ”
He added that once a drone is identified, all firefighting aircraft in the area will be grounded for approximately 20 to 30 minutes.
A Canadian fire jet has a hole in it after colliding with a drone. (FBI)
In Thursday's case, the holdout period was short but still costly due to the size of the fire and the resources needed to respond to the rapidly progressing inferno.
Ground interception teams, made up of dozens of agents, are spread throughout the region and intercept pilots and operators in defiance of FAA restrictions. That could lead to fines and even jail time, Davis said.
“Drones are probably one of the most significant threats to law enforcement right now,” Davis said. “If you fly, we can't fly. … So don't be selfish. Be aware of the law. Obey the law.”
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Authorities are asking for the public's help in determining who operated the drone in question and which other drones violated airspace laws.
To help, call 1-800-CALL-FBI or submit a tip to: FBI.gov/.
