Drone Crash Damages Firefighting Aircraft; Pilot Pleads Guilty
Peter Tripp Akemann pleaded guilty to unsafely operating a drone that crashed into a firefighting plane during the Palisades Fire, causing $65,000 in damages. He faces up to one year in prison and will complete 150 hours of community service as part of his plea agreement. The incident occurred when Akemann’s drone, flown over 1.5 miles from its launch point, collided with the Super Scooper, grounding the aircraft for several days. Authorities stressed the importance of drone safety regulations, particularly given upcoming major events in Los Angeles.
John Q. Hosedrinker