Amazon has paused drone deliveries in Arizona after two drones crashed into a construction crane. This incident adds to the company’s ongoing struggles to implement its drone delivery system.
Crisis in Drone Deliveries
The collision happened around 10 am local time near Phoenix, Arizona, while the drones were flying close together. A witness reported they hit the crane as it was lowering an AC unit onto a building.
Investigation and Previous Issues
The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating this crash. An Amazon spokesperson confirmed awareness of the incident and stated they are cooperating with authorities.
This is not the first accident involving Amazon drones. Previous crashes have led to fires and delivery delays, raising concerns about their reliability and safety in extreme conditions.
Resuming Operations Amid Challenges
Despite the recent crash, Amazon has resumed drone deliveries in Arizona while the investigation proceeds. The company aims to improve its Prime Air program, which is years behind schedule.
Amazon targets 500 million drone deliveries annually by 2030, though this goal currently seems difficult to achieve due to ongoing technical problems, including handling Arizona’s heat.
