The Californian man admits guilt after his drone collided with planes fighting against Palisades fire
A man in California is facing a year in federal prison for reckless drone management that crashed into a Super Scooper firefighting aircraft while the crew struggled with devastating Palisades fire In California.
Peter Tripp Akemann, 56, has agreed to admit guilt up to one number of insecure operation of an unmanned aircraft.
State Attorney Joseph T. McNally announced on Friday on Friday the allegations and acknowledgment of guilt during a press conference with Akil Davis, Assistant Director in charge of the FBI FBI field office.
The Canadian fire aircraft hit an unmanned aircraft above the Los Angeles district. (FBI)
“Flying unmanned aircraft in an emergency is an extreme threat to our fire staff, which are trying to help people,” McNally said during a press conference. He added that this case should serve as a warning that “if you fly the drone around wild fires, and do so reckless, the implementation of the law will find you, and we will consider you responsible.”
According to the guilt agreement, on January 9, Akemann drove to the top of the promenade of the third street in Santa Monica, California and flew a drone toward the fire of Palisades to see the damage. After Losing Akemann from Vid Drona, he collided with a Super Scooper, leaving a 3-inch hole for 6 inches in the left wing of the aircraft.
Firefighters are watching a helicopter falling water on fire by Palisades at the Mandeville Canyon in Los Angeles, on Saturday, January 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
At the time of the incident, the Federal Air Force Directorate (FAA) issued flight restrictions prohibited by flying drones near the fire in southern California.
McNally confirmed that the crew was able to safely land Super Scooper, but said that the aircraft was out of the commission for about five days while flew pallisade.
The Canadian fire aircraft hit an unmanned aircraft above the Los Angeles district. (FBI)
During the press conference, Davis said that there is currently no “evidence that the defendant intentionally caused this collision, however, flying drones in a limited area could cause a disaster.”
“The lack of common sense and ignorance of your duties as a pilot of drones will not protect you from a criminal complaint,” Davis added.
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According to Calfire, from Thursday, the Palisades fire, which after weeks of fire efforts was 95%, killed 12 people and destroyed more than 6,800 buildings.
Akemann was expected to appear his first court on Friday afternoon.
