Drone pilot to plead guilty in collision that grounded aircraft fighting Palisades fire

[MiragePro]

Drone pilot to plead guilty in collision that grounded aircraft fighting Palisades fire

A drone that authorities say was flying in restricted airspace on Jan. 9 put a fist-sized hole in the wing of a Super Scooper, taking it out of service.

www.latimes.com

 

[GFields]

I have no sympathy for the pilot!

 

[Erk1024]

I have no sympathy for the pilot!

Agree. He definitely paid a price for that mistake.

 

[Bad Santa]

"Peter Tripp Akemann, 56, agreed to plead guilty to one count of unsafe operation of an unmanned aircraft, according to the Justice Department. Prosecutors filed an indictment charging Akemann with the misdemeanor offense that carries a prison sentence of up to one year in federal prison, a news release said."

He's probably learned his lesson. No reason to hang him for it.

Nobody died so vengeance isn't necessary.

 

[mavic3usa]

Much to the dismay of many here, he'll probably get no jail time.

Nothing to see here, lots of other more serious and bigger related crimes committed in the LA area during that period. But I guess if it's bygones for them, may as well be bygones for the rogue drone pilot, too.

Everybody gets a pass.

 

[Starz]

Wallet didn’t get a pass. That may be the hurt part.

 

[jaja6009]

Did I miss the part where they first found him and arrested him?

Last I heard the FBI was investigating. I heard nothing of an arrest.

It just jumped to he's pleading guilty.

 

[Starz]

Maybe he anticipated the inevitable and turned himself in?

 

[GadgetGuy]

Details here:

Drone Pilot Pleads Guilty to Crashing into Super Scooper.

Jan 31, 2025

Drone Pilot Pleads Guilty to Crashing into Super Scooper

• The Droning Company
• Replies: 20
• Forum: General Discussions

• 

 

[Wreckhunter]

"Peter Tripp Akemann, 56, agreed to plead guilty to one count of unsafe operation of an unmanned aircraft, according to the Justice Department. Prosecutors filed an indictment charging Akemann with the misdemeanor offense that carries a prison sentence of up to one year in federal prison, a news release said."

He's probably learned his lesson. No reason to hang him for it.

Nobody died so vengeance isn't necessary.

What kind of goofy reply is that, can not believe you would even say something like that.Nobody died (this time),but what about next time.

 

[Wreckhunter]

I have no sympathy for the pilot!

No sympathy at all for this individual right,jail time sounds good here also.

 

[MS Coast]

Much to the dismay of many here, he'll probably get no jail time.

Nothing to see here, lots of other more serious and bigger related crimes committed in the LA area during that period. But I guess if it's bygones for them, may as well be bygones for the rogue drone pilot, too.

Everybody gets a pass.

How absurd. Wait for the sentence before declaring that he and all other offenders in L.A. will go unpunished. Get over your Caliphobia

 

[MS Coast]

He's probably learned his lesson. No reason to hang him for it.

Nobody died so vengeance isn't necessary.

No one is being hanged. No sentence or fine has been set yet

It's not about vengeance. It's about the rule of law and enforcing common sense safe behavior.

Whether or not that individual learned his lesson, there's a need to demonstrate to other boneheads that such reckless criminal activity has personal consequences.

 

[ryguy80]

That’s some expensive footage.

 

[Bad Santa]

No one is being hanged. No sentence or fine has been set yet

It's not about vengeance. It's about the rule of law and enforcing common sense safe behavior.

Whether or not that individual learned his lesson, there's a need to demonstrate to other boneheads that such reckless criminal activity has personal consequences.

Yes, but in all cases of violations there are a lot of factors that get included in sentencing.
IF someone had died, the sentence would be more harsh.
The reality is he was flying in an unsafe manner. Many of us are guilty of that in one way or another.

 

[Wreckhunter]

Yes, but in all cases of violations there are a lot of factors that get included in sentencing.
IF someone had died, the sentence would be more harsh.
The reality is he was flying in an unsafe manner. Many of us are guilty of that in one way or another.

Oh that is bringing new meaning to flying in an unsafe manner.Sounds to me as crazy as this sounds like you are defending this clown,my oh my.

 

[GadgetGuy]

To be clear, no sentence has yet been imposed. The plea bargain is only a proposal which the sentencing judge may or may not accept at the future sentencing date. The pilot has agreed to accept whatever sentence the judge imposes, up to the 1 year maximum federal jail sentence, and pilot cannot withdraw his guilty plea should the plea agreement be rejected by the judge even if the judge imposes the maximum sentence.

 

[VenomXts]

Wonder if plea deal allowes him to still own drones and fly them, that could sting more for him than the 65k I belive he is fairly well off.

 

[JAW]

The article stated "He flew the drone [a DJI Mini 3 Pro] about 1.5 miles before losing sight of it."

That statement implies he could see it when the drone was less than 1.5 mile away. Personally, I find it hard to believe he could see it at, say, 1 mile away.

Not that it matters much. He will forever be guilty of a Federal crime and the $65,000 repayment order is no small amount.

 

[Bad Santa]

Oh that is bringing new meaning to flying in an unsafe manner.Sounds to me as crazy as this sounds like you are defending this clown,my oh my.

So, for some reason you feel you're more capable of interpreting my statement than I am? Funny.
My words stand for themselves.

Do you feel that everyone who was flying a drone during the fires should receive the maximum penalty? Do you feel everyone who flies their drone in an "unsafe" manner should be prosecuted and receive a maximum penalty?

Do you feel you're better equipped to deal out the punishments than whatever judge will be doing it?