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.


Andrew

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.

Re: Drone vs water scooper firefighting aircraft
 

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.

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

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.

Re: Drone vs water scooper firefighting aircraft
 

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 ?

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

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 .