Culver City man agrees to plead guilty to crashing drone into 'Super Scooper' during Palisades Fire
PACIFIC PALISADES, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Federal charges were announced against a Culver City man on Friday in connection with a civilian drone that hit and damaged a water-dropping "Super Scooper" aircraft during the destructive Palisades Fire.
Peter Tripp Akemann, 56, agreed to plead guilty to one count of unsafe operation of an unmanned aircraft, according to the Justice Department. Prosecutors filed an indictment charging Akemann with the misdemeanor offense that carries a prison sentence of up to one year in federal prison, a news release said.
According to officials, the plane collided with a privately-owned drone, leaving a football-sized hole hole in the aircraft.
It managed to safely land, but the Super Scooper was left out of commission for several days while the fire burned. It was only one of two Super Scoopers available.
"Lack of common sense and ignorance of your duty as a drone pilot will not shield you from criminal charges," Akil Davis, the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI's Los Angeles Field Office, said at a Friday morning news conference.
Davis said there was no evidence Akemann intentionally caused the collision. "However, flying drones in a restricted area could cause a catastrophe," Davis said.
Officials say the plane was owned by the government of Quebec and that Akemann has agreed to pay restitution. He has also agreed to 150 hours of community service related to wildfire relief.
Akemann is scheduled to appear in court Friday afternoon.
It's a federal crime to fly a drone in the middle of firefighting efforts and punishable by up to 12 months in prison.
The FAA can also impose a civil penalty of up to $75,000 against any drone pilot who interferes with wildfire suppression, law enforcement or emergency response operations when temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) are in place.
The wind-driven blaze in Pacific Palisades began Jan. 7, destroying or damaging nearly 8,000 homes, businesses and other structures and killing at least 12 people.
The conflagration fueled by dry Santa Ana winds has scorched at least 36 square miles of land. It was 98% contained as of Friday.
Authorities say Akemann launched the drone from the top of a parking structure at Santa Monica's 3rd Street Promenade on Jan. 9 and flew it more than 1.5 miles toward the Palisades Fire before losing site of it. It then crashed with the Super Scooper firefighting plane that was carrying two firefighters.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
