Man pleads guilty in drone crash with Quebec water bomber fighting L.A. fires

A 56-year-old man from California has admitted to operating a drone that collided with a Quebec water bomber plane while it was fighting the Palisades Fire in Los Angeles. Peter Tripp Akemann, a resident of Culver City, appeared in a Los Angeles courtroom and pleaded guilty to one count of unsafe operation of an unmanned aircraft.
The incident occurred on January 9, when Akemann’s drone flew into the CL-415 plane, causing a sizable hole in its wing. Thankfully, the pilot was able to land the plane safely, but all aircraft fighting the fire had to be grounded for nearly half an hour while authorities ensured the skies were clear.
Christopher Thomas, a spokesperson for Cal Fire, expressed his anger over the incident, stating that it was extremely irresponsible and could have resulted in serious consequences. Akemann’s actions not only endangered lives but also caused significant financial damage, with the total costs estimated at $65,169 US.
As part of his plea agreement, Akemann has agreed to pay full restitution to the Quebec government and the company that repaired the plane. Additionally, he will need to complete 150 hours of community service in support of the Southern California wildfire relief effort.
Akil Davis, the assistant director in charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles field office, emphasized that lack of common sense and ignorance of one’s duty as a drone pilot will not protect individuals from facing criminal charges. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California revealed that Akemann was flying the drone to observe the damage caused by the fire, although his exact motivation remains unclear.
Akemann launched the drone from a parking garage in Santa Monica and flew it towards Pacific Palisades, losing sight of it before the collision with the water bomber plane. The impact created a hole in the plane’s left wing, measuring approximately seven centimeters by 14 centimeters.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of responsible drone operation and the potential consequences of reckless behavior. It highlights the need for stricter regulations and enforcement to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.