Minnesota Man Charged After Shooting at DNR Firefighting Aircraft

Minnesota Man Charged After Shooting at Firefighting Aircraft

A Minnesota man who allegedly shot at a firefighting plane told investigators he was "crow hunting" when questioned about the May 15 incident. Daniel Christian Pettit, 48, faces felony charges after allegedly firing at a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources aircraft during wildfire suppression operations near Orr. Pettit was booked into the Hibbing jail following the incident.

Suspect's Statements and Weapons

Pettit allegedly told investigators he knew law enforcement would be interested after seeing news reports about the possibility of hitting an airplane. He admitted to having multiple firearms at the time, including a 12-gauge shotgun, two pistols and two .308-caliber rifles. Regarding the pilot, court documents quote Pettit as saying, "If I accidentally hit him crow hunting, too bad. He endangered my life."

Aircraft Damage and Safety Concerns

The aircraft, identified as a Fire Boss water-scooping plane, sustained impact damage consistent with gunfire but landed safely with no injuries reported. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources emphasizes the extreme danger posed to pilots flying low during wildfire suppression operations. Aviation experts note that shooting at aircraft engaged in firefighting operations violates both state and federal laws and poses life-threatening risks to flight crews.