A 56-year-old man from Culver City has agreed to plead guilty to charges of “recklessly operating a drone” that collided with and damaged a firefighting aircraft during the Palisades Fire earlier this month. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) made the announcement on Friday, revealing that Peter Tripp Akemann’s actions posed a serious safety threat to the Super Scooper crew battling the blaze.
According to the plea agreement, Akemann admitted that his drone flight was illegal and endangered the safety of first responders working to control the fire. The crash occurred on January 9, damaging the wing of the SuperScooper Quebec 1, a critical firefighting aircraft that had to be grounded just two days after the fire broke out.
“This defendant recklessly interfered with the efforts of first responders who were putting their lives on the line to protect the community,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph T. McNally. “This case is a clear message: drone operators who endanger public safety will be held accountable.”
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Investigators found that Akemann launched his drone from a parking structure at the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica while the fire raged in Pacific Palisades. He had intended to observe the damage caused by the wildfire.
The charges against Akemann, which were filed as a misdemeanor, carry a potential sentence of up to one year in federal prison. As part of the plea agreement, Akemann will be required to pay full restitution for the damage caused, including over $65,000 to repair the aircraft. He will also contribute 150 hours of community service to support the 2025 Southern California wildfire relief efforts.
The Palisades Fire, which began on January 7, spread rapidly in high winds, ultimately scorching nearly 24,000 acres and destroying thousands of homes. It has drawn attention to issues within the Los Angeles Fire Department, including concerns about staffing and insufficient water supplies. Authorities have reported 12 fatalities in the fire, and investigations suggest the cause may have been human-related.
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