Just two days after a fiery crash with a crane in Arizona grounded two of its MK30 drones, Amazon has boldly resumed Prime Air deliveries. The tech giant insists its advanced “detect and avoid” systems remain reliable, adding new safeguards to reassure regulators and residents. The quick rebound underscores both the risks and relentless drive behind Amazon’s vision for one-hour autonomous drone deliveries.
Amazon will resume its Prime Air drone delivery service in Tolleson, Arizona, on Friday, just two days after a pair of its MK30 delivery drones crashed into a crane, sparking a fire and causing significant damage. The incident occurred Wednesday morning when the drones struck the boom of a construction crane near Phoenix. Though the crash destroyed both aircraft, which weighed more than 80 pounds each, no injuries were reported.
Helicopter footage from local outlets showed the wreckage scattered on the ground. Following the incident, Amazon temporarily halted drone operations in the area while conducting an internal review. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are also investigating the crash.
Amazon said its review found no flaws with the drones or their navigation technology but acknowledged the need for stronger safeguards. “We’ve introduced enhanced visual landscape inspections to better monitor for moving obstructions such as cranes,” spokesperson Terrence Clark said. The company emphasized that the MK30 drones, which are FAA-approved to fly beyond an operator’s line of sight, are equipped with an advanced “detect and avoid” system designed to prevent such collisions.
The Tolleson delivery hub, opened in April, has been part of Amazon’s effort to expand fast, autonomous deliveries. Residents in the area can order items weighing under five pounds and receive them within an hour via drone. Since its launch in 2022, Amazon Prime Air has sought to prove the safety and reliability of drone delivery, even as it faces regulatory hurdles and public skepticism.
The crash underscores the challenges of scaling drone delivery in real-world environments filled with unpredictable obstacles. For Amazon, however, the quick resumption of service signals confidence in its technology and its determination to keep pushing forward with autonomous logistics despite setbacks.
