Amazon drone deliveries in US face more ‘problems’

Amazon is facing a federal probe after one of its delivery drones struck and downed an internet cable in central Texas last week. The incident took place in Waco, Texas, when one of Amazon's MK30 drones was ascending after successfully dropping off a package, one of its six propellers became tangled in a nearby internet cable. A video of the incident showed the drone shearing the wire. The aircraft's motor then appeared to shut off, and the drone landed itself. While the drone sustained some damage to one propeller, the main body remained largely intact.

According to a report by CNBC, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed it is investigating the matter. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is aware of the incident but has not opened a formal probe. This investigation comes as Amazon attempts to expand its drone delivery program across more areas of the US and faces increasing competition from rivals like Walmart, which has also begun drone operations.

What Amazon said about the drone delivery incident

In a statement to CNBC, Amazon confirmed the incident and noted that after cutting the internet cable, the drone performed a “safe contingent landing.” This is a process that allows its drones to land safely in the event of an unexpected event.

“There were no injuries or widespread internet service outages. We’ve paid for the cable line’s repair for the customer and have apologised for the inconvenience this caused them,” an Amazon spokesperson said, highlighting that the drone had completed its package delivery.

This incident follows US federal investigators opening a separate investigation last month into a crash involving two of Amazon's Prime Air drones in Arizona. The two aircraft collided with a construction crane in Tolleson, a town west of Phoenix, prompting Amazon to suspend drone deliveries in the area temporarily.

For more than ten years, Amazon has been trying to make founder Jeff Bezos' idea a reality, with drones delivering toothpaste, books and other items to customers' doorsteps in 30 minutes or less. The company started drone deliveries in 2022 in College Station, Texas, and Lockeford, California.

However, regulatory obstacles and missed deadlines have slowed progress, and job cuts in 2023 were part of wider cost-cutting measures by Amazon CEO Andy Jassy.

The company has previously stated its aim is to deliver 500 million parcels by drone each year by the end of the decade. The hexacopter-shaped MK30, the newest version of Amazon's Prime Air drone, is designed to be quieter, smaller and lighter than earlier models.

Amazon says the drones have a sense-and-avoid system that allows them to "detect and stay away from obstacles in the air and on the ground." The company recommends that customers keep "about 10 feet of open space" on their property so drones can complete deliveries.

The company launched drone deliveries in Waco earlier this month for customers within a certain distance of its same-day delivery site who order eligible items weighing 5 pounds or less. The drone deliveries are meant to drop off parcels in under an hour.

Amazon has brought other locations online in recent months, including Kansas City, Missouri; Pontiac, Michigan; San Antonio, Texas; and Ruskin, Florida. Amazon has also announced plans to expand drone deliveries to Richardson, Texas.

Meanwhile, Walmart began offering drone deliveries in 2021 and currently works with Alphabet's Wing and venture-backed start-up Zipline to deliver in several states, including Texas.