Drone Operator Charged Following Super Scooper Collision
A Culver City resident, 56-year-old Peter Tripp Akemann, has reached an agreement to plead guilty to federal charges after his drone collided with a firefighting aircraft during the Palisades Fire. This incident has caused temporary disruption to crucial firefighting efforts and significant damage to the aircraft.
Akemann is set to plead guilty to the unsafe operation of an unmanned aircraft, a misdemeanor that carries a potential maximum penalty of one year in federal prison. As part of a plea deal, he has committed to paying full restitution to both the Government of Quebec and the aircraft repair service, alongside completing 150 hours of community service supporting the wildfire relief operations in Southern California.
Incident Overview
On January 9, Akemann launched his drone from a rooftop parking structure at Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade, flying it approximately 2,500 meters (over 1.5 miles) towards Pacific Palisades to monitor fire damage. Unfortunately, he lost sight of the drone during the flight, which subsequently collided with the left wing of a Government of Quebec Super Scooper, creating a 3-inch by 6-inch hole and necessitating an emergency landing by the crew for repairs.
Consequences of the Collision
At the time of this incident, there were active Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) in effect, prohibiting drone operations near Los Angeles County due to ongoing wildfire activities. Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph T. McNally stated, “This defendant recklessly flew an aircraft into airspace where First Responders were risking their lives to protect people and property. The damage to the Super Scooper underscores the extreme hazards drones pose during emergency situations, potentially compromising the operations of police and fire services.”
FBI Assistant Director Akil Davis remarked on the lack of accountability among drone pilots, emphasizing that ignorance will not protect against criminal consequences.
The damage incurred by the Government of Quebec and the aircraft repair company due to this incident has been reported to exceed $65,169. The FBI conducted the investigation, with significant collaboration from the Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General, FAA, Los Angeles Fire Department, and CALFIRE.
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