Recent Shooting Incident Highlights Need for Preparedness

Coastal Air Strike confirmed that one of its firefighting aircraft sustained bullet damage while operating under contract with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources during wildfire suppression operations in northern Minnesota on May 15, 2026. The aircraft landed safely, and the pilot was not injured. According to reporting by KSTP-TV, a suspect has been arrested, as confirmed by the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office.

While rare, aircraft-targeting incidents do occur. NAAA maintains a Shooting Response Checklist available on the website to help ag aviators respond if they encounter gunfire or suspect aircraft damage.

NAAA also reminds members that additional operational safety checklists are available online, including the UAS Encounter Checklist. If you or one of your pilots experiences a near-miss with a UAS—or, worse, a collision—one of the first questions after the initial shock is often what to do next and who to notify. The UAS checklist provides clear reporting steps and guidance to help pilots respond quickly and protect both themselves and the industry.

NAAA encourages all operators and pilots to review the checklists and keep them readily accessible during the busy season. Preparedness matters, and knowing how to respond before an incident occurs can make all the difference.