Drone Operator Faces Charges After Super Scooper Collision

A 56-year-old Culver City resident has agreed to plead guilty to federal charges after his drone struck and damaged a firefighting aircraft during the recent Palisades Fire. The incident resulted in temporary grounding of critical firefighting operations and substantial damage to the aircraft.

Peter Tripp Akemann, will plead guilty to unsafe operation of an unmanned aircraft, a misdemeanor offense that carries a potential maximum sentence of one year in federal prison. Under the plea agreement filed this morning, Akemann has agreed to pay full restitution to the Government of Quebec and the aircraft repair company, as well as complete 150 hours of community service in support of the 2025 Southern California wildfire relief effort.

According to court documents, on January 9, Akemann drove to Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade and launched his drone from a parking structure rooftop. He then flew the aircraft approximately 2,500 meters (more than 1.5 miles) toward Pacific Palisades to observe the fire damage, losing sight of the drone. The drone collided with a Government of Quebec Super Scooper’s left wing, creating a 3-inch by 6-inch hole and forcing the two-person crew to land for repairs.

At the time of the incident, the FAA had active Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) in place prohibiting drone operations near Los Angeles County wildfires.

“This defendant recklessly flew an aircraft into airspace where first responders were risking their lives in an attempt to protect lives and property,” said Acting United States Attorney Joseph T. McNally. “This damage caused to the Super Scooper is a stark reminder that flying drones during times of emergency poses an extreme threat to personnel trying to help people and compromises the overall ability of police and fire to conduct operations.”

The FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office Assistant Director Akil Davis added: “Lack of common sense and ignorance of your duty as a drone pilot will not shield you from criminal charges.”

As a result of the collision, the Government of Quebec and an aircraft repair company incurred costs of at least $65,169 to repair the plane.

The FBI investigated this matter, with substantial assistance from the Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General, FAA, Los Angeles Fire Department, and CALFIRE.

Photos courtesy of Sean Trostem / Facebook.