safety
Unidentified Large Drone Strikes LAPD Helicopter Near Los Angeles Wildfire
An Airbus AS350 operated by the Los Angeles Police Department suffered windshield damage and was forced into a precautionary landing at Van Nuys Airport after colliding with a massive three-foot drone on July 7, 2026. The helicopter was patrolling near an active brush fire in the San Fernando Valley when the midair strike occurred, though both officers onboard escaped without injury. The FAA and FBI are currently hunting for the unidentified operator. For pilots, this incident underscores the severe, growing hazard of rogue uncrewed aircraft encroaching on low-altitude emergency operations.