Two of Amazon’s new MK30 Prime Air delivery drones crashed in Arizona on Wednesday morning, prompting investigations from both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). In response, Amazon has temporarily halted its drone delivery program in the West Valley Phoenix Metro Area.
According to reports from local outlets such as ABC15 Arizona, the incident occurred around 10 a.m. in Tolleson, a city in Maricopa County. Witnesses said the drones were flying in close succession when they collided with a crane being used at a nearby construction site. Both drones plummeted to the ground, landing in nearby parking lots.
One man was reportedly treated for smoke inhalation after coming into contact with the wreckage. Fortunately, no other serious injuries were reported.
Amazon operates a distribution hub just two miles away from the crash site, which has been central to its recently launched drone delivery service. The company began testing deliveries from this Arizona location in November 2023, as part of its broader effort to expand its futuristic Prime Air program.
What caused the crash remains unclear. Amazon’s MK30 drones are designed with advanced “sense-and-avoid” systems intended to detect and maneuver around aerial and ground obstacles. The failure of this safeguard during the crash raises fresh questions about the safety and reliability of the company’s technology.
The FAA and NTSB will now investigate the incident, focusing on whether it stemmed from human error, mechanical malfunction, or flaws in the drone’s automated systems.
Amazon has not yet released a public statement beyond confirming the suspension of drone deliveries in the affected area. Mashable and other outlets have reached out to the company for further comment.