Canadair CL-415 Super Scooper Grounded After Drone Collision Over Palisades Fire, FAA Investigates

Jan 10, 2025, 04:02 AM

A firefighting aircraft, identified as a Canadair CL-415 Super Scooper, collided with a civilian drone while operating over the Palisades Fire in Los Angeles, California on January 9, 2025. The collision resulted in damage to the aircraft, including a hole in its wing, which led to the grounding of the Super Scooper. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating the incident, which occurred despite a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) in place over the area. The FAA has emphasized that flying drones in the midst of firefighting efforts is a federal crime, punishable by up to 12 months in prison and a civil penalty of up to $75,000. The incident temporarily grounded all firefighting aircraft on the Palisades fire, impacting the firefighting efforts against the blaze that has burned 19,978 acres and destroyed over 9,000 structures. The Super Scoopers are capable of scooping 1,600 gallons of water from the ocean for firefighting, and their grounding was a significant setback for Cal Fire's operations.