Amazon has suspended drone deliveries in the West Valley Phoenix Metro after two MK30 drones with a crane. The accidents happened Wednesday morning around 10 a.m. local time in Tolleson , Arizona, about two miles from an Amazon fulfillment center where drones take off and land. No injuries were reported, but according to a report by ABC15 Arizona news in Phoenix, one man was treated for smoke inhalation from the debris.
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Gabriel Dahlberg, a diesel mechanic who witnessed one of the accidents from a nearby parking lot while parking a truck, told KPNX's 12 News that the drone struck the cable of a crane used to lift equipment into a building. According to Sergeant Erik Mendez of the Tolleson Police Department, a preliminary investigation indicated that the two Amazon drones were flying behind each other when they both collided with the crane and landed about 100 to 200 feet away in separate parking lots.
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Local fire and police departments responded to the incident, but the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) says it will investigate the incident with Amazon’s cooperation. “We are aware of an incident involving two Prime Air drones in Tolleson, Arizona. We are currently working with the appropriate authorities to investigate,” Amazon spokesperson Terrence ClarkThe Verge via email.
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Amazon began same-day drone deliveries in Tolleson last November using its MK30 drones, which can carry loads of up to five pounds. It’s not known how long the suspension of service will last, but it’s the second time the drones have been grounded in the area since they began operations less than a year ago. Last January, drone deliveries were suspended so Amazon could complete software updates and FAA certifications after a drone accident at a testing facility in Oregon.
