July 8, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Culver City Man to Plead Guilty Crashing a Drone into Firefighting Aircraft in Santa Monica

Drone Crash Grounded a Super Scooper During Critical Period the Palisades Fire 

The mystery of who was piloting the drone that damaged and grounded one of the Canadian Super Scooper planes in the early days of the Palisades Fire has been solved. A man from Culver City has agreed to plead guilty to recklessly operating a drone that crashed into a Super Scooper firefighting aircraft battling the Palisades Fire earlier this month, federal prosecutors announced Monday.

Peter Tripp Akemann, 56, will plead guilty to one count of unsafe operation of an unmanned aircraft, a misdemeanor offense that carries a maximum sentence of one year in federal prison, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Akemann, formerly a president of Skydance Interactive, exited the company in 2022, after running Skydance’s video game and virtual reality section. He began working for the company in 2016 after Skydance acquired The Workshop, a company he co-founded. He will not serve any jail time after accepting a plea deal. Deadline quoted one Palisades community member who works in the entertainment industry who said, “This is not justice. I’m not saying it would have, but that plane could have maybe saved homes and businesses if it hadn’t been damaged.”

Akemann admitted in a plea agreement that his drone posed an imminent safety hazard to the Super Scooper crew. The collision forced the aircraft, which was supplied by the Government of Quebec, out of service temporarily, preventing it from continuing its firefighting mission.

As part of the agreement, Akemann will pay full restitution for damages—at least $65,169—to the Government of Quebec and an aircraft repair company. He will also complete 150 hours of community service to support the 2025 Southern California wildfire relief effort.

“This defendant recklessly flew an aircraft into airspace where first responders were risking their lives in an attempt to protect lives and property,” Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph T. McNally said. “As this case demonstrates, we will track down drone operators who violate the law and interfere with the critical work of our first responders.”

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had issued temporary flight restrictions prohibiting drone operations near the Los Angeles County wildfires when Akemann launched his drone on Jan. 9. According to the plea agreement, he drove to the top level of a Santa Monica parking structure, flew the drone toward the Pacific Palisades fire, and lost sight of it.

The drone traveled more than 1.5 miles before colliding with the firefighting aircraft, causing a hole approximately 3 inches by 6 inches in the left wing. The damage was discovered after the plane landed, and maintenance personnel removed it from service for repairs.

“Lack of common sense and ignorance of your duty as a drone pilot will not shield you from criminal charges,” said Akil Davis, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office. “Please respect the law, respect the FAA’s rules, and respect our firefighters and the residents they are protecting by keeping your drone at home during wildfires.” Akemann is scheduled to make his initial court appearance Monday afternoon at the U.S. District Court in Los Angeles.

The FBI led the investigation, with assistance from the FAA, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General, the Los Angeles Fire Department, and CAL FIRE. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kedar S. Bhatia and Ian V. Yanniello of the Terrorism and Export Crimes Section are prosecuting the case.

in News
<>Related Posts

Anti-Drunk Driving Resolution Introduced as City Council Honors Late Palisades Teen Killed in Crash

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Levi, who was set to attend the University of Virginia this fall, was killed by a drunk driver on May...

Free and Reduced Price School Meals Available for Eligible Families in Santa Monica-Malibu District

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Parents in Need Encouraged to Apply, SMMUSD Commits to Nutritious, Accessible Meals By Brandyi Phillips, SMMUSD Chief Communications Officer Santa...

Big Blue Bus to Raise Fares for First Time in Nearly a Decade

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

The fare increase aims to offset rising costs for fuel, utilities, and supplies, according to the agency. The Santa Monica...

Shore Hotel: A Local Destination for Summer Fun

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Bring on all things summer. Walking or biking along Santa Monica Pier, you might find yourself taking a pause at...

Santa Monica’s 150th Anniversary to be Celebrated with Vibrant State of the City Event

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets, beach chairs, and picnics to enjoy during the performances Santa Monica will mark its...

Soprano Golda Zahra Returns to BroadStage For a One-Night-Only Musical Celebration

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

Hailed as “the rising star of the opera world” by The Hollywood Times, internationally acclaimed soprano Golda Zahra makes her much-anticipated return to BroadStage in...

(Video) Hundreds of Drones Light up the Sky for Palisades to Celebrate July 4th

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

The Event Marked One of the First Large Gatherings Among Palisadians Since the January Wildfires. The Event Marked One of...

Transform Your Life: The Free Virtual ONENESS GLOBAL SUMMIT Debuts July 18-20, 2025

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

The ONENESS GLOBAL SUMMIT, a transformative three-day virtual event, is coming, July 18-20, 2025, offering participants worldwide a free opportunity...

Santa Monica Home Defies Convention: Architect Eric Owen Moss Debuts Shape-Shifting Design

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

Pistachio-Colored Marvel Boasts Curving Walls, Sharp Angles, and Challenging Design A striking residence in Santa Monica is turning heads with...

Caitlyn Jenner’s Friend and Former Foundation CEO Dies in Malibu ATV Crash

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

ATV Plummeted 350 Feet After Rear-Ending Vehicle in Malibu Sophia Hutchins, former CEO of the Caitlyn Jenner Foundation and longtime...

New SaMo Bridge Program Refers 56 People in First Month; 37 Connected to Services

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

According to city officials, the program is on pace to meet its goal of serving 260 individuals annually Santa Monica’s...

Multi-Family Venice Property on Rare Double Lot Lists at Over $5M

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

In total, the four units provide 5,398 square feet of living space A multi-family property located one block from Venice...

Hama Sushi Hosts Weekly Music and Comedy Open Mics

July 5, 2025

July 5, 2025

The venue, a Venice Beach staple since 1979, has recently expanded its legendary happy hour to the entire patio Hama...

Connections Breakfast to Network Local Business Professionals in Malibu

July 5, 2025

July 5, 2025

The event, sponsored by Malibu Country Mart, will feature a breakfast mixer where attendees can meet new contacts  A Connections...

12th Annual Gopher Scramble Golf Tournament to Benefit Venice Heritage Museum

July 5, 2025

July 5, 2025

The museum opened to the public in March 2024 at the Main Street Design Center with its inaugural exhibition, “This...