Two Amazon delivery drones collide with construction crane in Arizona

Two delivery drones from Amazon's Prime Air service collided with a construction crane and crashed in Tolleson, Arizona, on Wednesday morning. The incident occurred around three kilometers from an Amazon logistics center, according to local media reports. No one was injured, and the two drones landed in different car parks in the area, Tolleson police confirmed to the publication Azcentral.

The local police were initially called to the scene of the accident but handed over the investigation to the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Amazon stated that it was working with the authorities to investigate the accident.

Following the incident, Amazon has once again suspended its drone delivery service in the Phoenix region. The online retailer had already stopped its delivery service in Arizona and Texas at the beginning of the year after two MK30 drones crashed during test flights in December 2024. At the time, the drones crashed in rainy weather, and one went up in flames. After developing a software update for the altitude sensors, Amazon resumed operations in April 2025.

Repeated problems with Prime Air drones

The current collision is one in a series of incidents involving Amazon's delivery drones. In September 2024, two test drones collided during a rotor failure experiment because they were launched at the same time and came too close to each other. The MK30 drones, which have been in use since October 2024, were supposed to be more reliable and quieter than their predecessors and also be able to fly in adverse weather conditions.

Amazon received an important authorization from the FAA in May 2025. Since then, the drones have also been allowed to deliver smartphones and other battery-powered devices. The drop height was reduced to just under four meters to prevent damage to the lithium-ion batteries on impact. The drones can transport parcels weighing up to 2.5 kilograms and should deliver them within 60 minutes of being ordered.

Safety mechanisms for emergencies

For critical situations during flight, the Amazon drones have a structured emergency landing procedure known as Safe Contingent Landing (SCL). The drone first goes into hovering flight, uses cameras and radar to scan the surroundings for a suitable landing site, and touches down in a controlled manner. The system has been certified by the FAA and is designed to work even if individual rotors or sensors fail.

Amazon's drone delivery service is not only technically challenging but has also met with resistance from the public. In College Station, Texas, residents protested massively against the drone flights and submitted over 150 petitions to the FAA. In particular, they complained about noise pollution and concerns about the cameras flying over private property. However, the FAA rejected the objections as unfounded.

It is unclear how long the drone delivery service will be paused following the current incident. Amazon must first clarify the cause of the collision and possibly implement further safety measures.

(mki)