The FBI is looking for the drone operator who blew a hole in a firefighting plane
officials with the FBI Los Angeles The search is on for the operator of a private drone that collided with a Canadian plane helping to fight wildfires in California.
Akil Davis, assistant director in charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office, confirmed Canada Weather A Super Scooper aircraft helping to fight wildfires in California was damaged Thursday after it collided with a private drone over the Palisades fire.
According to Davis, the crash left a 3-inch by 6-inch hole in the plane’s wing.
However, in the event of an accident, policy dictates that all aircraft in the area must be evacuated, which has a more serious impact in the event of an accident. wildfire, Davis said.
A Canadian firefighting plane was shot down by a drone over Los Angeles County. (FBI)
“These types of aircraft are our most effective means of extinguishing and containing these fires,” Davis said. “So when incidents like this occur, they present a significant challenge to public safety and create dangerous scenarios for our first responders.”
An investigation was launched and parts of the drone have since been recovered, according to the FBI.
A Canadian firefighting plane was shot down by a drone over Los Angeles County. (FBI)
“We are working with our public and private sector colleagues to identify the operator of this drone,” Davis said. “But since that incident, we’ve had (more than 10) contacts with drone operators that we’ve warned and fined in previous years.”
During forest fires, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) imposed a temporary flight restriction, creating a barrier to the use of law enforcement-style drones and firefighting aircraft.
A Canadian firefighting plane was shot down by a drone over Los Angeles County. (FBI)
When illegal use of drones, Davis said this led to a “dangerous situation” that could have resulted in loss of life.
“These fires are so significant that (they) increase the amount of resources required exponentially,” he said. “(Operating personal drones) will take firefighting efforts away from saving homes and saving lives. If one of these planes goes down, it would literally be catastrophic.”
He added that once a drone is identified, all firefighting aircraft in the area stand down for about 20 to 30 minutes.
A hole is visible after a Canadian firefighting plane collided with a drone. (FBI)
In Thursday’s case, the wait was shorter, but still more expensive, because of the size of the fires and the resources needed to keep up with the fast-moving inferno.
Ground interception teams of dozens of agents are scattered across the region and will intercept pilots or operators ignoring FAA restrictions. They could then face fines or even jail time, Davis said.
“Drones are probably one of the most significant threats we have in law enforcement right now,” Davis said. “If you fly, we can’t… So please don’t be selfish. Pay attention to the law. Follow the law.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Authorities are asking for the public’s help in finding who is flying the drone and other drones that violate airspace laws.
To help, call 1-800-CALL-FBI or send tips to FBI.gov/.
English