SoCal Man Takes Plea Deal for Drone Collision with Super Scooper During Fire Incident
The drone operator has consented to pay restitution and undertake community service, while also facing a potential prison sentence of up to one year in federal prison.
A man from Culver City entered a guilty plea on Feb. 12 for recklessly operating a drone during the Palisades Fire last month, which resulted in a collision with a Super Scooper firefighting aircraft, as reported by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles.
Peter Tripp Akemann, 56, agreed to plead guilty at the end of January after federal prosecutors charged him with a misdemeanor. He could face as much as one year behind bars.
Prosecutors allege that the wildfire was raging in and around Pacific Palisades on Jan. 9 when Akemann drove to the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica and parked his vehicle on the top level of the parking structure. From there, he launched the drone to survey the damage caused by the fire.
According to prosecutors, Akemann flew the drone over 1.5 miles towards the fire, losing sight of it in the process. The drone subsequently collided with the Super Scooper aircraft from the government of Quebec, which had two crew members onboard.
The crew was unaware of the drone incident until they landed at Van Nuys airport.
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The collision resulted in a 3-by-6-inch hole in the left wing of the aircraft, rendering it non-operational, with repair costs reaching nearly $66,000, according to prosecutors.
“The damage inflicted on the Super Scooper serves as a sobering reminder that operating drones during emergencies poses a significant risk to personnel attempting to assist and jeopardizes the efficacy of police and fire operations,” emphasized McNally.
Akemann has agreed to cover full restitution to both the government of Quebec and the repair company, as stated by the prosecutors. Additionally, he will complete 150 hours of community service “in support of the 2025 Southern California wildfire relief effort,” as per the statement.
Super Scooper aircraft from Canada arrived on Jan. 8 to aid in combating the fire that had ignited the day prior. The aircraft were particularly effective as they collected ocean water to drop onto the blaze.
The Federal Aviation Administration had established temporary flight restrictions prohibiting drone activities in the vicinity of the fire.
“A lack of common sense and an ignorance of one’s responsibilities as a drone pilot will not provide protection from criminal charges,” asserted Akil Davis, assistant director in charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles field office.
