Federal prosecutor said on Friday that a person who was driving an unmanned aircraft with the aircraft working on Palizard’s fire agreed to plead guilty and pay a fine and complete community services.
Peter Tripmann, a 56 -year -old Culver City, was charged with unsafe action for unmanned planes. Prosecutors said he could still face one year in Federal Prison.
The authorities said that the drone was flying in the air on January 9th, and a fist -sized hole was placed on the wing of the super shovel. This is a huge fixed -wing aircraft. On the fire. The collision collided with the commission for about five days and destroyed the drone.
As part of the confession agreement, AKEMANN agreed to provide comprehensive compensation to the Quebec government in Canada, and the government provided aircraft and companies that repaired aircraft. Prosecutors said the cost of repairing aircraft was at least $ 65,169.
AKEMANN also agreed to complete 150 hours of community services to support the South California wildfire relief in 2025.
On January 7, a super shovel dripped on the hillside when Palisades Fire broke out.
(Brian van der brug/los angeles Times)
“The defendant Lu CK flew the plane into the lead. There, the first respondent risked his life and tried to protect life and property,” we played our business. “Joseph T. McNally said in the press release.
According to the Forestry and Fire Bureau of California, the wind direction and wind fence fire broke out in Pacific Palisad and the surrounding communities for several days, burned 23,400 acres, killed 12 people, and destroyed more than 6,800 properties.
When the fire passed through Los Angeles County, a temporary flight restriction was performed in some parts of Southern California. These restrictions means that all aircraft that have not participated in wildfire suppression must obtain permits to enter the airspace. Officials said the drone was not allowed when it collided with the plane.
When a firefighter fights against Palisades, drones flying in the fire zone are a lasting problem. The air shots of the disaster caused by the fire are all the rage in social media, but it is often criticized by officials and others that the drone captured these images has endangered the fire.
“This is not only harmless. This is very dangerous.” Seriously, what if the plane fell? It may have taken out a row of houses. It could have taken away a school. “
The collision and other people’s violations of the restrictions on flight prompted the Federal Aviation Administration to issue severe warnings on the flight drone near the wild fire.
Faa said: “This is a federal crime that can be sentenced to 12 months of imprisonment to interfere with the fire protection efforts to public land.” “In addition, during the temporary flight restrictions, FAA The maximum civil penalty of drone pilots in response to action is $ 75,000.
The drone flying in the wild fire area has been a problem for FAA and fire officials for at least ten years.
In 2019, the US Forest Service reported that at least 20 unauthorized drones were flying at seven states including California. According to the Forest Service, flights have temporarily closed the air fire protection operation 9 times.
“The damage caused by the super shovel was an obvious reminder, and said, in an emergency, the flying drone pose a great threat to those who try to help people and damage the overall ability of the police and the overall ability of the fire. “As shown in this case, we will track the drone operators who violate the law and interfere with the first respondent.”
American alcohol, tobacco, firearms and explosives spent several weeks investigating the reason for the fire of Palizard. From the beginning, people have been guessing that fire officials believe that they have erupted in the same area on January 1 and spread by strong winds, or a new fire occurred nearby that morning.
However, sources said that this week did not draw conclusions, which is still the possibility of fire on January 7.
Times member Terry Castleman and Grace Tohey contributed to this report
