Amazon's Prime Air Drones Crash: Two MK30s Down, Operations Suspended
Amazon's Prime Air delivery service faced a significant setback on Wednesday when two of its MK30 drones, weighing over 80 pounds each, crashed into a crane in Tolleson, Arizona. The incident, which occurred around 10 a.m., caused substantial damage and a fire but fortunately resulted in no injuries. Amazon has since suspended its delivery drone operations pending investigation.
The MK30 drones, approved by the FAA to fly beyond the operator's line of sight and equipped with a detect and avoid system, were involved in the crash. Amazon is working with relevant authorities, including the National Transportation Safety Board and the FAA, to investigate the incident. James Carter, a representative from Amazon, is consulting with authorities regarding the investigation.
The crash occurred near Phoenix, close to Amazon's recently opened drone delivery center in Tolleson. Since 2022, Amazon Prime Air drones have been delivering packages to customers, offering purchases weighing less than five pounds to be delivered in less than an hour.
The incident has led Amazon to temporarily halt its delivery drone operations. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities aiming to determine the cause of the crash and prevent similar incidents in the future. Amazon, which has been at the forefront of drone delivery services, is cooperating fully with the investigation.
