Peter Tripp Akemann, a 56-year-old Culver City man, has agreed to plead guilty to a misdemeanour charge after his drone collided with a firefighting aircraft during the Palisades fire on January 9. That collision grounded the Super Scooper aircraft for five days, hindering firefighting efforts.
According to a report, the federal prosecutors on Friday stated that Akemann would face a fine, community service, and a possible prison term of up to one year. The misdemeanour charge is based upon Akemann’s unsafe operation of the unmanned aircraft, which authorities aver has flown in restricted airspace. The drone collided with the Super Scooper, creating a fist-sized hole in its wing, temporarily putting it out of service.
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Although there was no evidence of the intention to cause harm, the FBI was serious about the issue of flying drones in restricted areas. Assistant Director Akil Davis warned that such actions could have catastrophic consequences.
Akemann, who was operating the drone from a Santa Monica parking structure, has agreed to pay restitution for the damages to the government-owned aircraft and serve 150 hours of community service related to wildfire relief efforts. He is scheduled to appear in court later today.
The Palisades fire, fuelled by dry Santa Ana winds, destroyed nearly 8,000 structures and claimed at least 12 lives. The fire, which began on January 7, scorched over 36 square miles and was 98% contained by Friday. Investigations continue into the cause of the blaze, which authorities believe started near a home on Piedra Morada Drive.
This occurred as California’s wildfire response and alert systems continued to be at the center of public concerns as multiple fires swept through the state in recent weeks.
