LOS ANGELES
Peter Tripp Akemann, 56, of Culver City, has agreed to plead guilty to reckless operation of a drone after it collided with and damaged a Super Scooper aircraft fighting the Palisades Fire earlier this month, officials stated.
The misdemeanor charge carries a maximum sentence of one year in federal prison.
The drone collision caused a 3-by-6-inch hole in the aircraft’s wing, temporarily grounding it and disrupting firefighting efforts.
Akemann will pay full restitution to the Government of Quebec, which supplied the plane, and the repair company, covering at least $65,169 in damages. He will also complete 150 hours of community service supporting the 2025 Southern California wildfire relief efforts, according to authorities.
Federal prosecutors said Akemann launched the drone from a parking structure in Santa Monica and flew it more than 1.5 miles towards the fire, losing sight of it before the collision.
At the time, the FAA had issued temporary flight restrictions prohibiting drone use near the wildfires.
Officials warned that flying drones near emergencies poses severe risks to first responders and will be prosecuted.
FBI led the investigation with assistance from the FAA, the Los Angeles Fire Department, and CALFIRE.