Assuming this story isn't fake and gay, who's to say they wouldn't have a few dudes with Barrett m82 or better hanging out, sniping at the thing when they saw it hovering? It's possible to shoot down an airplane with small arms from the ground. This was documented a few times in WW2, Korea, and Vietnam and I think they referred to it as a "golden shot" or something. Of course this is all old stuff where you could get a lucky hit against a carburetor or fuel tank and wreck a plane. Video link shows WW2 British guide at like 20 minutes in for shooting planes from the ground, and you also have stuff like picrel.
youtu.be/UXqwh2o_zzs