Two Amazon Prime Air delivery drones collided with a construction crane in Tolleson, Arizona, on Wednesday morning, prompting federal investigations. The crash happened in a commercial zone near 96th Avenue and Roosevelt Street, according to local police.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are now looking into the incident. They reported that the drones involved were MK30 models that crashed into the crane’s boom, but fortunately, no injuries occurred.
In response to the collision, Amazon briefly paused its drone delivery operations in Arizona. A company spokesperson, Terrence Clark, stated that they are cooperating with authorities and have already conducted an internal review of the situation.
Clark emphasized that safety is a top priority and remarked that there was no fault found with the drones or their technology. However, to enhance safety further, Amazon is implementing new procedures, including better inspections to identify moving obstacles like cranes before delivery flights occur.
The reason for the crash is still unclear as the investigations continue. This incident arrives at a time when the U.S. Transportation Department is contemplating new regulations that could allow drones to operate beyond the visual line of sight—an essential step to expand drone deliveries.
As this story develops, both Amazon and federal agencies are expected to provide more insights into the findings of the ongoing investigations.
