L.A. wildfires: FBI seeks pilot of drone that struck Canadian water bomber [Video]

The FBI says it is investigating the unauthorized flight of a drone that crashed into a Canadian firefighting aircraft while it was battling the deadly and destructive wildfires in the Los Angeles area last week.

The federal law enforcement agency said Monday it is seeking information that will lead to the identity of the pilot whose drone damaged the Quebec water bomber, known as a “super scooper,” grounding the aircraft.

The FBI’s public notice said the collision left a three-by-six-inch (seven-to-15-centimetre) hole in the left wing of the aircraft. It said parts of the “heavily damaged drone” were recovered and that the plane was able to land safely after the collision.

The agency said it is seeking witness information, photos and videos of the incident, which can be submitted to the FBI online.

The collision between the civilian drone and the plane, known as Quebec 1, occurred Thursday over the Pacific Palisades neighbourhood near Malibu, where dozens of residential blocks …