Overview

• Peter Akemann, co-founder of Treyarch, pleaded guilty to unsafe drone operation after his drone collided with a firefighting plane during the Palisades Fire in January 2025.
• The collision caused a 3-by-6-inch hole in the plane's wing, grounding the aircraft and costing over $65,000 in repairs, which Akemann has agreed to pay in full.
• Akemann will complete 150 hours of community service aiding Southern California wildfire relief as part of a plea deal that spares him a potential year-long prison sentence.
• The incident occurred in restricted airspace, with Akemann losing sight of his drone after flying it more than 1.5 miles from its launch point.
• Prosecutors and the FAA emphasized the serious safety risks posed by drones during emergency operations, warning of strict enforcement against similar violations.