Drone vs water scooper firefighting aircraft at DVinfo.net

Andrew Smith · January 14th, 2025, 06:06 PM

The government types are slightly over playing the danger situation of the hole in the aircraft, but it's definitely a big hole in the leading edge of the wing. The FBI will be making a very big deal out of this one.

Andrew

Larrie Easterly · January 14th, 2025, 11:22 PM

I did a quick search on YouTube and it looks like most of the videos are from news and government organizations with only a few from private individuals. I would not like to be in the owner of the drones shoes. If it was a news organization they will be in a better position the weather the FBI storm than an individual. It will be interesting to follow this story to its conclusion.

Allan Black · January 16th, 2025, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew Smith

The government types are slightly over playing the danger situation of the hole in the aircraft, but it's definitely a big hole in the leading edge of the wing. The FBI will be making a very big deal out of this one.

FBI working to piece together drone that damaged super scooper while battling Palisades Fire - YouTube

Andrew

Can’t help thinking the metal, aluminium? .. used on the leading edge of that wing looks to be very thin and a bit brittle. Must have passed muster though, but I’d guess they’d have similar incidents where solid things went through it.
Cheers.

Andrew Smith · January 16th, 2025, 06:31 PM

The internal structure of the wing is really where it's at. You can have a hole punched into the leading edge and it's no real big deal (in my humble internet expert opinion) as long as the internal structure remains intact. You just fly the thing back to the airport and get it patched before continuing further.

The aluminium won't have been too brittle. It's just that it was hit by a little bit of mass at a great enough speed.

Andrew

Brian Drysdale · January 20th, 2025, 05:36 AM

I suspect it's to discourage people from flying drones in areas where firefighting aircraft are operating. A hit in the cockpit window would be more serious, and the distraction when flying at low level through hills could have a real impact.

Derek Heeps · October 11th, 2026, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew Smith

The government types are slightly over playing the danger situation of the hole in the aircraft, but it's definitely a big hole in the leading edge of the wing. The FBI will be making a very big deal out of this one.

FBI working to piece together drone that damaged super scooper while battling Palisades Fire - YouTube

Andrew

Assuming a 249g drone , I'd have thought a decent sized bird strike , which could happen when going down to a lake to scoop up a load of water , could do the same damage ?

What would the FBI propose to do about water fowl taken by surprise ?

Andrew Smith · October 11th, 2026, 03:14 PM

Probably safe to assume there is a measure of thankfulness that water fowl don't [checks notes] have lithium batteries inside. :-)

Andrew

Derek Heeps · October 12th, 2026, 06:48 PM

Not unless said bird had ingested a drone !

Main concern is many aircraft have their fuel tanks in the wings , and the tanks can often be easily punctured bladders . I guess these planes burn AVGAS which is basically high octane petrol , so something rupturing one of the tanks could be quite bad .

However , as far as damage to the wing is concerned , I'd think applying a sheet of fibre-glass over that hole , with some quick setting resin , after a quick inspection for internal damage , could see the plane flying again in little more time than it would take to refuel .

January 14th, 2025, 06:06 PM	#1
Andrew Smith Equal Opportunity Offender Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 3,194	Drone vs water scooper firefighting aircraft The government types are slightly over playing the danger situation of the hole in the aircraft, but it's definitely a big hole in the leading edge of the wing. The FBI will be making a very big deal out of this one. FBI working to piece together drone that damaged super scooper while battling Palisades Fire - YouTube Andrew

January 14th, 2025, 11:22 PM	#2
Larrie Easterly Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Oregon City Posts: 58	Re: Drone vs water scooper firefighting aircraft I did a quick search on YouTube and it looks like most of the videos are from news and government organizations with only a few from private individuals. I would not like to be in the owner of the drones shoes. If it was a news organization they will be in a better position the weather the FBI storm than an individual. It will be interesting to follow this story to its conclusion. __________________ Travel blog, www.luinil.com.

January 16th, 2025, 06:31 PM	#4
Andrew Smith Equal Opportunity Offender Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 3,194	Re: Drone vs water scooper firefighting aircraft The internal structure of the wing is really where it's at. You can have a hole punched into the leading edge and it's no real big deal (in my humble internet expert opinion) as long as the internal structure remains intact. You just fly the thing back to the airport and get it patched before continuing further. The aluminium won't have been too brittle. It's just that it was hit by a little bit of mass at a great enough speed. Andrew

January 20th, 2025, 05:36 AM	#5
Brian Drysdale Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Belfast, UK Posts: 6,160	Re: Drone vs water scooper firefighting aircraft I suspect it's to discourage people from flying drones in areas where firefighting aircraft are operating. A hit in the cockpit window would be more serious, and the distraction when flying at low level through hills could have a real impact.

October 11th, 2026, 03:14 PM	#7
Andrew Smith Equal Opportunity Offender Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 3,194	Re: Drone vs water scooper firefighting aircraft Probably safe to assume there is a measure of thankfulness that water fowl don't [checks notes] have lithium batteries inside. :-) Andrew

October 12th, 2026, 06:48 PM	#8
Derek Heeps Major Player Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Glasgow , Scotland Posts: 289	Re: Drone vs water scooper firefighting aircraft Not unless said bird had ingested a drone ! Main concern is many aircraft have their fuel tanks in the wings , and the tanks can often be easily punctured bladders . I guess these planes burn AVGAS which is basically high octane petrol , so something rupturing one of the tanks could be quite bad . However , as far as damage to the wing is concerned , I'd think applying a sheet of fibre-glass over that hole , with some quick setting resin , after a quick inspection for internal damage , could see the plane flying again in little more time than it would take to refuel .