Two Amazon Prime Air delivery drones crashed into a construction crane in Tolson, Arizona, on Wednesday. (ksaz)
Federal authorities are probing a collision involving two Amazon Prime Air drones and a construction crane in Tolson, Arizona, a city located west of Phoenix.
The Tolson police reported that the incident occurred in a commercial district near 96th Avenue and Roosevelt Street.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have launched an investigation into this incident.
“The NTSB is looking into the crash between two Amazon Prime Air delivery drones and a crane in Tolson, Arizona,” the agency announced on Thursday.
The FAA stated that the drones involved were MK30 models, both of which were “climbing with the crane boom.” Fortunately, there were no injuries reported.
Amazon officially paused its drone delivery service in Arizona following the incident. Spokesperson Terrence Clark mentioned that the company is cooperating with authorities and has conducted an internal review.
“We’re aware of this incident with the drones in Tolson, Arizona, and we’re actively working with the necessary authorities to investigate,” Clark stated.
While the exact cause of the crash is not yet known, it occurs as the US Department of Transportation (DOT) is considering new regulations that would permit drones to operate beyond the operator’s direct line of sight. Officials emphasize the need to enhance commercial applications, like package delivery.
Neither the NTSB, DOT, Amazon, nor Tolson police have responded to inquiries regarding the crash.
