Culver City Man Pleads Guilty in Reckless Drone Incident
LOS ANGELES – A Culver City resident has formally pled guilty to recklessly operating a drone that collided with a Super Scooper firefighting plane during efforts to combat the recent Palisades Fire, as announced by the Justice Department.
Peter Tripp Akemann, aged 56, has accepted a plea deal concerning a misdemeanor charge of unsafe operation of an unmanned aircraft, which could lead to a maximum of one year in federal prison.
This morning, federal prosecutors filed the necessary documentation detailing the charge against Akemann, confirming his reckless and unlawful actions while piloting a drone that endangered the safety of the Super Scooper crew. Following the incident, the specialized aircraft was grounded for repairs, disrupting its firefighting mission. As part of the plea agreement, Akemann is required to reimburse the Government of Quebec for damages and make restitution to the aircraft repair company involved. Additionally, he has committed to completing 150 hours of community service to support wildfire relief efforts in Southern California in 2025.
Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph T. McNally commented, “This individual recklessly flew an aircraft into an area where first responders were putting their lives at risk to save others. The damages inflicted on the Super Scooper underscore the significant threat posed by drones during emergency situations and how they compromise our first responders’ operations. This case illustrates our commitment to identifying and prosecuting drone operators who violate the law.”
Akil Davis, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office, added, “Lack of common sense and negligence of responsibilities as a drone pilot will not defend against criminal charges. Please adhere to legal protocols and the FAA’s guidelines, particularly during wildfire emergencies.”
Akemann is scheduled to appear in United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles later today.
According to court documents, as the wildfire dispersed around Pacific Palisades on January 9, Akemann drove to a parking structure on the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica, where he launched his drone toward the fire to survey the damage caused by the blaze.
He piloted the drone approximately 2,500 meters (over 1.5 miles) towards the flames before losing visual contact. The drone subsequently collided with a Super Scooper aircraft from the Government of Quebec, which was attempting to extinguish the fire, causing a significant hole in the plane’s left wing. Following the incident, maintenance crews assessed the damage and temporarily grounded the aircraft for necessary repairs.
At the time of the incident, the Federal Aviation Administration had issued temporary flight restrictions that barred drone activities near the Los Angeles County wildfires.
The total repair costs incurred by the Government of Quebec and the aircraft repair service exceeded $65,169 due to the damage sustained.
The investigation was spearheaded by the FBI, with substantial assistance from the Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General, the FAA, the Los Angeles Fire Department, and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CALFIRE).
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kedar S. Bhatia and Ian V. Yanniello from the Terrorism and Export Crimes Section are handling the prosecution of this case.
Contact Information:
Connor Williams
Public Affairs Officer
Email
(213) 894-6965
