Amazon suspends commercial drone deliveries in Texas and Arizona after accidents

The e-commerce industry continues to surprise with its ongoing transformations, particularly in the area of logistics. Recently, Amazon temporarily suspended its commercial drone delivery operations in Texas and Arizona after two of its latest MK30 models crashed at a testing facility during light rain.

According to data from Statista, in 2024, Amazon reported revenues exceeding $600 billion, reaffirming its position as a market leader. Additionally, its Prime program—which offers fast shipping, access to streaming services, and exclusive benefits—boasts over 300 million subscribers worldwide.

Amazon and Its Drone Deliveries

Amazon has announced the temporary suspension of its commercial drone delivery operations in Texas and Arizona following crashes involving two MK30 models at its Pendleton, Oregon, testing facility in December. The accidents were attributed to software malfunctions caused by light rain.

On Friday, the e-commerce giant stated that it was pausing the program to implement software updates to ensure the safety of its fleet.

An Amazon spokesperson told Bloomberg News that the crashes were not the “primary reason” for the pause. However, the company declined to disclose other issues being addressed in the software update.

How Do Amazon’s MK30 Drones Work?

The MK30 drones had been delivering packages in College Station, Texas, and Tolleson, Arizona, after the company received Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval in October.

Last summer, the mayor of College Station sent a strongly worded letter to the FAA protesting Amazon drones, citing noise levels that some locals compared to a “giant hive of bees.”

The six-rotor model was designed to be lighter, quieter, and capable of flying in light rain—a feature now under scrutiny.

“We are currently making software changes to the drone and are voluntarily pausing our commercial operations,” said Amazon spokesperson Sam Stephenson.

“Deliveries will resume once the updates are complete and approved by the FAA,” he added.

The company also stated that employees at affected drone sites would continue to receive their salaries during the suspension. This decision marks another setback for Amazon’s Prime Air, which has struggled for over a decade to expand its drone delivery service.

Despite regulatory milestones, including FAA authorization to fly beyond the line of sight of an operator, the program remains in limited testing.

Last month, Amazon completed its first test flight in Italy and is seeking approvals to operate in the United Kingdom.

What Happened During the Crash?

According to an FAA report, Amazon was testing the MK30’s response to an engine failure when a second drone was mistakenly launched on a collision course.

The drones collided mid-air and spiraled to the ground. Amazon has since revised its operational procedures and training protocols.

The National Transportation Safety Board and the FAA are investigating the accidents from September and December.

Amazon maintains that these tests are crucial for improving drone safety.

“The purpose of these tests is to push our aircraft to their limits; it would be irresponsible not to do so,” said Stephenson.

The FAA documented at least four additional crashes in 2022, three of which were caused by sudden power loss.

In November 2023, Amazon temporarily suspended its operations after an MK27-2 drone crashed due to battery failure during flight.

Read more:

What is the Lightning Lane pass that Disney World launched? We tell you

Donald Trump’s speech: the 10 most notable phrases at the inauguration

Walmart to close five stores in January; this is the reason