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February 17, 2025 |
Drone operator takes responsibility for Super Scooper collision ![]() LOS ANGELES – (INT) - A Culver City man has admitted recklessly operating a personal drone that crashed into and damaged a Super Scooper firefighting aircraft during the Palisades Fire.
As part of the plea agreement, Peter Tripp Akemann, 56, agreed to pay full restitution to the Government of Quebec, which supplied the plane, and an aircraft repair company that repaired the plane. Akemann also agreed to complete 150 hours of community service in support of the 2025 Southern California wildfire relief effort. As a result of the drone collision, the firefighting aircraft was taken out of service and was not able to continue its firefighting mission. During the Pacific Palisades fire on January 9th, Akemann drove to the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica and parked his vehicle on the top floor of the parking structure. He then launched a drone and flew it towards Pacific Palisades to observe damage caused by the fire. Story Date: February 4, 2025
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