Man Flew His Drone into a Super Scooper During the Palisades Fire

A 57-year-old man has been sentenced to two weeks in prison and one month on home detention following a January 2025 incident that left a gaping hole in the wing of a Super Scooper firefighting aircraft. He also agreed to pay restitution to the government of Quebec to cover the costs of the repairs that followed.

Peter Tripp Akemann pleaded guilty earlier this year to the unsafe operation of an unmanned aircraft, which is deemed a federal Class A misdemeanor. Along with jail time, he was ordered to pay more than $150,000 in restitution to cover repairs and to log 150 hours of community service tied to wildfire relief.

"This damage caused to the Super Scooper is a stark reminder that flying drones during times of emergency poses an extreme threat to personnel trying to help people and compromises the overall ability of police and fire to conduct operations,” the US Attorney's Office wrote. “As this case demonstrates, we will track down drone operators who violate the law and interfere with the critical work of our first responders."

Court documents reveal that Akemann launched his drone from the top of a Santa Monica parking garage and sent it more than a mile and a half toward the fire… and into the wing of Quebec 1, a CL-415 Super Scooper. The collision led to all aircraft responding to the Palisades Fire being temporarily grounded and kept Quebec 1 out of service for approximately five days while the six-inch hole was repaired.

Akemann later admitted he had lost sight of the drone before impact… something the FAA has been saying not to do since drones first hit the public. He claimed curiosity about the fire’s damage and concern for a friend’s house fueled his decision to launch, but prosecutors noted that FAA flight restrictions around the wildfire were not flexible.

Akemann acknowledged that his actions were “stupid and reckless,” especially knowing that he only realized his drone might have been involved after seeing a news report about the midair collision. He also admitted that "operating a drone anywhere near an active wildfire and rescue operation was irresponsible, regardless of my intention to do no harm."

"Lack of common sense and ignorance of your duty as a drone pilot will not shield you from criminal charges," continued Akil Davis, assistant director in charge of the FBI's Los Angeles bureau.

FMI: www.quebec.ca