LOS ANGELES — The drone pilot involved in a collision with a firefighting plane during the severe Palisades Fire in Los Angeles has agreed to plead guilty to a misdemeanor charge of operating a drone unsafely. This agreement was announced by federal authorities on Friday.
Peter Tripp Akemann will avoid prison time under the plea deal, which requires him to fulfill 150 hours of community service related to wildfire efforts and to pay $65,000 in restitution for the damage caused to the aircraft, according to acting U.S. attorney Joseph McNally. Although the misdemeanor charge Akemann faced carried the potential for a year’s imprisonment, he will remain free under court supervision while the case proceeds.
The incident occurred on January 9 when Akemann launched his drone from a parking structure in Santa Monica. The drone flew more than 1.5 miles toward the ongoing Palisades Fire before the operator lost sight of it. Subsequently, it collided with a Super Scooper aircraft that was carrying two firefighters. This specialized plane is capable of scooping up to 1,500 gallons (6,000 liters) of water within seconds to combat wildfires.
The Palisades Fire, which ignited on January 7, wreaked havoc on the upscale community, damaging nearly 8,000 structures and resulting in at least 12 fatalities. At the time of the drone incident, operations of drones were banned in the affected area due to firefighting activities. The fierce blaze, significantly fueled by dry Santa Ana winds, scorched over 36 square miles (94 square kilometers) of land and was reported to be 98% contained as of Friday.
In a statement released to the media, Akemann’s defense attorney, Glen Jonas, expressed that his client was “deeply sorry for the mistake he made” and acknowledged his responsibility for this serious lapse in judgment.
Federal officials highlighted the importance of drone operators being aware of the regulations governing drone use, especially as Los Angeles prepares for numerous significant events in the near future, including the World Cup, Super Bowl, and the Olympics. Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office, Akil Davis, emphasized that the responsibility lies with drone pilots to know the regulations. He stated, “If firefighters are putting out a fire with aircraft, that should be a clue.”
The Super Scooper, owned by the government of Quebec, was grounded for several days following the accident. The pilot managed to safely land the plane despite suffering a hole in its left wing due to the drone crash. Davis confirmed that there was no indication Akemann deliberately caused the accident, but he warned that ignorance regarding responsibilities as a drone pilot will not protect individuals from potential criminal charges.
The fire in this affluent Los Angeles neighborhood impacted various residents, including known figures like Jamie Lee Curtis and Billy Crystal, who lost their homes in the blaze. The inferno led to the evacuation of thousands and left tens of thousands without power.
Investigators are continuing to examine the fire’s origin, which has been traced to an area behind a residence on Piedra Morada Drive, located above a dense wooded gorge.
On the same day as the Palisades Fire, another wind-driven blaze ignited in Altadena, approximately 35 miles (56 kilometers) east of the first fire. That incident claimed at least 17 lives and destroyed or damaged more than 10,000 homes and businesses.
The seasonal Santa Ana winds have transformed usual wildfires into destructive infernos that have obliterated neighborhoods throughout Los Angeles, which has seen no significant rainfall in over eight months. In the wake of the Eaton Fire, several Altadena residents expressed dismay over the lack of notifications regarding fire threats. Many were first alerted by urgent text messages received in the middle of the night.
In response to residents’ concerns, Los Angeles County officials approved an external review of the notification systems used during the Eaton Fire and the Palisades Fire. City officials have not responded to inquiries regarding delays in alert notifications for the Palisades Fire. Fire Capt. Branden Silverman mentioned that assessing a fire situation and determining evacuation needs can be time-consuming.
