Investigation launched after Amazon delivery drones crash into crane in West Valley

PHOENIX – Two Amazon delivery drones crashed into a crane Wednesday in the area of the e-commerce giant’s West Valley fulfillment center, authorities said.

Nobody was injured in the incident near 96th Avenue and Roosevelt Street in Tolleson, about 2 miles from where the Amazon delivery drones are launched.

“We’re aware of an incident involving two Prime Air drones in Tolleson, Arizona. We’re currently working with the relevant authorities to investigate,” Amazon spokesperson Terrence Clark said in a statement.

Officers responded to a call about the crash a little after 10 a.m., according to the Tolleson Police Department.

“When we arrived on scene, Amazon was also arriving. I’m not sure if they got maybe notified by their systems,” Sgt. Erik Mendez told KTAR News 92.3 FM.

Are Amazon delivery drones common in West Valley?

Amazon brought its Prime Air drone delivery service to a fulfillment center near 107th Avenue and Van Buren Street after getting Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval nearly a year ago.

Customers in the service area can have their packages delivered by MK30 drones for an additional fee on thousands of items that weigh up to 5 pounds. AA batteries are the most popular order for drone delivery, according to the company.

They aren’t the small drones commonly used for video. They reportedly weigh close to 80 pounds.

Mendez said it’s become common to see the the Amazon delivery drones in the skies above Tolleson, which is about 12 miles west of downtown Phoenix. However, he said this is the first crash reported to police.

The FAA is taking over the investigation into Wednesday’s incident, Mendez added.

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Heidi Hommel contributed to this report.

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